How do you feel about making fun of Republicans' physical appearance?

[True Dough]

Trump's obesity. Sarah Sanders' eyes. Mitch McConnell's facial features. Etc.


I'm guessing most wouldn't say these sorts of things about allies, but the Republicans are considered fair game because they're so despised.

For those who would agree with the above statement, are you only comfortable making disparaging remarks about Trump et al on a discussion forum or would you say such things in public? At your workplace, for example?

[uppityperson]

1. I try to criticize for what they do, how vile they are and don't like mocking for

physical attributes. I will, however, mock when it's something like Don the Con saying what great shape he's in because he's lying.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

6. I agree. Fat shaming & other unflaterring physical references, etc in ANY context is wrong.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!?

[True Dough]

13. I respect that!

You're not too "uppity" for me, uppityperson!

[happybird]

36. +1

The endless Chris Christie fat jokes always bugged me.

Dump is fair game because of his many, many comments disparaging others' physical appearances.

And I will call McConnell Turtle because, c'mon, the man looks just like a turtle. And he's Mitch McConnell.

That's it, though. Just those two.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. It's clear that some here believe making fun of Trump's weight and other traits that plenty of

people share is fair game because he's a reprehensible person. I find that discouraging.

[MurrayDelph]

47. Not quite

I think making fun of his weight and other traits are fair game because he's a reprehensible person who has attacked others based on their traits.

Once the first stone has been cast, firing back is just pointing out the hypocrisy.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

49. Then why don't we use racist insults against him?

He's racist as fuck; why don't we say things like "he's as dumb as a (racial slur)"?

Oh wait, I take that back; the "ironic" gay-themed images seem to be acceptable, too.

[Baltimike]

83. when he swears he is much lighter, pointing out his obseity is fair game. nt

[WhiskeyGrinder]

89. So it's important to point out that fat people are fat, because lying about it makes it a weapon?

[Baltimike]

91. It's important not to bring a knife to a gun fight. It's important not to hamstrings

your options.

These times are unprecedented.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

92. So you're saying that using fat-based insults against Trump is such a valuable weapon, we shouldn't

concern ourselves with the fact that anti-fat rhetoric oppresses our friends and allies who are fat, even when it's not directed at them?

[Baltimike]

95. I am saying that it's important not to bring a knife to a gun fight.

Your slippery slope is on you, not me.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

96. I'm not getting your metaphor, I think.

What's the knife? What's the gun fight?

[ecstatic]

108. Fair game. Sorry. This is war. nt

[WhiteTara]

3. Sometimes it's hard not too. trumps hair

shs weird eyes

the difference is that I rarely see that many deformed people in the Democratic party. We might be plain or disabled; but there still remains a bit of dignity that shows in who you are. even on the street people whose lives are more than difficult.

[CincyDem]

4. Mixed

Sanders eyes, Mitch's looks...nah, not worth it.

Trump's obesity - yeah, fair game.

Difference...Sanders doesn't brag that she's the most beautiful svelte player in DC. Mitch doesn't brag about having the fight women off because he's so good looking.

But Trump - healthiest president in history. 6'1" and IIRC he clocked himself in at 240 or something ? Really. Given that he's one making the case, I think he's opening the door.

[Texasgal]

5. I find it counter productive.

I think there are plenty of things that could be discussed without resorting to appearance.

[JCMach1]

7. No, unless it's Cruz

:ROFL:

[Croney]

8. I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me when others do.

Another target is the size of his dick. As a woman, I have never judged a man on that; there are 20 other attributes I look at first. But men seem to think making fun of Trump's dick size is a good "gotcha." It's important to men, I get that. So it doesn't bother me and I laugh.

[rampartc]

24. it is also another thing trump brags about

and as a chapter in stormy danials' book.......

[keithbvadu2]

45. Ask subject matter expert Little Marco Rubio.

Ask subject matter expert Little Marco Rubio.

[ORiGINAL Double D]

9. All Republicans are trogolodytes as far as I'm concerned.

*spit*

[lunatica]

10. Before I retired everyone at my job disparaged Donald Trump

Do you really think you’re going to get any sympathy votes for Trump because anyone feels bad for disparaging him?

Wagging your self righteous finger at us will not make anyone ashamed of despising everything about Trump. But you’re free to treat him tenderly if that makes you feel better.

[True Dough]

15. I'm not looking for "sympathy votes"

How could I convert those into reward points? LOL!

Did you feel "lectured" based on my OP, lunatica? You seem awfully defensive. I notice you didn't answer my question though. Since you clearly have no qualms about making fun of Trump's physical appearance, are you completely comfortable doing it in anyone's company? Or do you reserve your insults for an anonymous online forum?

[lunatica]

68. You're not winning just so you know

But keep trying by all means.

[True Dough]

69. And you're still refusing to answer my question,

which I suppose is an answer in itself.

[Turbineguy]

11. Pointless.

".... but tomorrow I shall be sober ....."

[Voltaire2]

12. You mean making fun of Shitler? It's all good. That piece of shit can fuck right off.

[Baltimike]

84. This. And he can take his lyin' ass smoky eyed grifter with him. nt

[struggle4progress]

14. I want people to discuss issues, rather than discussing what a jerk I am

[treestar]

16. It is relief for us

Like a stress relief for us.

The Turtle, any reference to the Cheetoh's Orangeness. It makes you laugh and helps get rid of the horridness of what he is doing.

[smirkymonkey]

70. I agree, it's just like letting off a little steam.

Besides, when I see these people, I see the ugliness of their souls made manifest in their physical appearance. They actaually physically repulse me - they are like vermin to me.

I do not feel that way about decent people who are overweight or less than perfect looking in real life because they don't radiate ugliness like these hateful people do.

I even find many "techincally" attractive republicans/evangelicals physically repulsive because they are so ugly on the inside. Sometimes, I just need to get it off my chest.

[Sugar Smack]

17. Trump is baby-puke orange.

And that's probably the most charming thing about him.

[femmedem]

18. I avoid it and it bothers me when I see it on DU.

I think about how I feel when I hear Republicans attack Democrats based on their looks: it makes them look uglier than whomever they're disparaging.

It doesn't persuade anyone, and it makes us look childish and hypocritical.

That said, I might make an exception for appearances that are the result of choices the person made, like going to extreme lengths to hide a bald spot. But even then, I'm uncomfortable with it.

[True Dough]

50. I'm guilty of taking a potshot here and there myself

I might pat myself on the back when I do it, but I generally feel like it's not worth going there. There's so much other political fodder, I'm going to try to reserve myself to strictly targeting that from this point.

[crazycatlady]

19. Is it natural or unnatural

For example, the GOP would surely go after a (hypothetical) Democratic candidate with (obviously dyed) purple hair for that reason.

I think there's a difference between going after a candidate's appearance if it is obviously altered (ie Donald Trump's orange face) or if it is natural.

[Miigwech]

20. Open season

[Alea]

21. It's wrong no matter how anyone slices it

Criticize people by their wrongful actions or statements. Not how they look. When you criticize someone for looking a certain way, you're criticizing everyone that looks that way.

[Demovictory9]

22. TRump is fair game for his orange tan and ridiculous hair. he made the rules

[Amimnoch]

23. I respect others opinions on this, but for me it's eye for an eye.

As long as they keep on using, accepting and endorsing misogynist attacks on the Women of the Democratic Party, and liberals in general, I WILL respond in kind. It’s the only counter they respond to.

As long as they keep on using, accepting, and edorsing fat shaming Democratic party figures, and liberals in general, I WILL respond inkind. It’s the only counter they respond to.

For too long when slapped, we turned the other cheek only to get slapped on the other cheek. When they slap our cheek now, I slap the fuck back.

When they go low, we go high is a wonderful notion, but I’d think it should be painfully obvious by now.. that doesn’t win, and people suffer.

I get why many here feel that way. I respect that many here feel that way. I wish I still felt that way. But, until they start censoring, and punishing their own for using those kinds of attacks, from me, they’re getting it right back at them.

I generally don’t do it here, because it doesn’t hit the target audience, and is offensive to those I call allies, but on battleground political boards that allow it, I’ll get as nasty as they want to go.

[Polly Hennessey]

25. It is goose and gander stuff.

I tend not to do it, but have no real problem with those that do. The rif on Melanie is funny. I do detest her stringy hair and stilettos. I guess I long for a First Lady that I admire.

[guillaumeb]

26. Never a good idea.

Issues matter.

[no_hypocrisy]

27. Nah, I'll stick to mocking their mindless and insipid words and deeds.

More material to work with.

[Shrike47]

28. Not the others, but Trump should be disparaged in all ways about all things.

[Kingofalldems]

29. Against all but Trump.

He shames people and deserves the same treatment.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

30. Sanders' eyes, Trump's orange skin, Trump's hair, Miller's spray-on hairliine, all fair game

They're all cosmetic choices, so poking fun at them seems fair.

Christie's girth? Nah, that may be medical. Making fun of his bridgegate, however, have at it.

[backscatter712]

31. Considering they routinely attack people based on ethnicity, gender, race, etc., I say OPEN SEASON.

They shouldn't dish it out if they can't take it.

[quickesst]

32. Here is why I have no problem with it

Trump and his supporters are easy prey for caricature simply because their natural appearance actually projects the ugliness inside of them. Their caricatures are closer to who they actually are than their natural physical appearance.

[smirkymonkey]

71. +1000

[quickesst]

72. Heh heh.....

[meadowlander]

33. Pointless and only reflects badly on us.

[USALiberal]

40. +1000! nt

[yortsed snacilbuper]

34. They started it first.

[sarisataka]

35. I look at it mathematically

If one is ridiculing trump for being obese,
Then obesity is worthy of of ridicule
-Therefore it is acceptable to ridicule any obese person.

If you find the conclusion to be true then go ahead and ridicule Trump for being obese.
If you find the conclusion false then you should probably not ridicule Trump for being obese. To do so then is hypocrisy.

Substitute any other name and physical property as needed.

[handmade34]

37. unnecessary...

and petty... anything I say online, I say in public...

[USALiberal]

39. +1000! nt

[True Dough]

52. It's a good policy

Personal attacks are poor form. Personal attacks behind a veil of anonymity are worse.

[USALiberal]

38. It is childish bullshit. We look stupid doing it. I wonder is the posters who do it are kids, nt

[ProudLib72]

41. Absolutely nothing whatsoever is off limits when it comes to the Rump

SHS's eyes are, however, taboo.

There is a huge difference between the two. The Rump could do something about his weight. Instead, he eats McDonald's and then gets his personal physician to lie for him. SHS cannot do anything about her eyes.

[bernie59]

42. I don't care for it, but it's easy to skip over those threads.

[PSPS]

43. It's a trump-esque childish behavior that demeans the person who says/writes it.

[stonecutter357]

44. Would it hurt your feelings if i called Republicans racist pigs ?

[keithbvadu2]

46. "I'm guessing most wouldn't say these sorts of things about allies"

"I'm guessing most wouldn't say these sorts of things about allies"

Like Trump ridiculing the looks of Carly Fiarona and Rafael Cruz' wife.

Then again, they weren't allies.

Or Trump ridiculing a handicapped person.

[True Dough]

53. When I wrote "most"

I was referring to most members of the DU.

Trump, of course, will say anything about anybody if he thinks it get him ahead. He's despicable.

[keithbvadu2]

54. Sorry. Wasn't arguing with you. Just pointing out the obvious.

Sorry. Wasn't arguing with you. Just pointing out the obvious.

Could have worded it a little better.

[True Dough]

58. No worries

We're on the same page now.

[nini]

48. I don't give a damn about Nazi's feelings

Honestly..there's bigger issues to worry about these days.

[LonePirate]

51. If they are the first ones to open the door, then it's fair game, especially for 45 and his history.

[MaryMagdaline]

55. Trump only. He's made it ok

[mokawanis]

56. I try to avoid making fun of anyone's physical appearance, with a few exceptions

The exceptions are for people I really despise, like Fishface Scott Walker and Donald Trump with his flabby ugly face. I would make negative comments about their appearance in private and in some public scenarios.

As much as I don't like others, like Sarah Sanders and McConnell, I usually avoid comments about their physical appearance.

[dustyscamp]

57. Only to the really scummy Repugs

There are still bearable n half decent ones

[Opel_Justwax]

59. I guess if I was 14 years old again I would make fun of how people look.

[ProfessorGAC]

60. Not An Apt Comparison

Bullies who mock others will not back down by being nicer than them.
They don't respect or care about nice.
Fire with fire.
Asking if it's OK if it regards an ally is a kind of silly question, TD.

[True Dough]

62. Where do you draw the line, Professor?

Gerrymandering? They do that.

Voter purges? They do that.

Poll watchers? They put them in place.

Conspiring with a foreign government to win an election? Trump's done it, apparently.

Gonna out-bully the bully at any cost? "Fire with fire" isn't necessarily a solution either.

[DBoon]

61. mocking people because of their physical traits diminishes their dignity and humanity

I might argue that Trump and the others lack dignity and humanity in the first place

You can't diminish what doesn't exist

[Ferrets are Cool]

63. There is enough to shame them with

without using physical appearances.

[Thunderbeast]

64. NO.....JUST NO!

We can not be the party of the third grade school yard.



Why is this even a question?

[True Dough]

65. Have you read all the responses above?

It's a divisive topic, unfortunately. But one worth addressing, IMO. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter.

[marylandblue]

66. I try not comment on appearance in general but I have 3 exceptions

1) When my.inner demon gets the better of me.
2) When it's about makeup, like Trump's orange skin.
3) When it's about eyes, because the eyes are windows of the soul. Like you can see in Stephen Miller's eyes that he has no soul.

[tulipsandroses]

67. Trump is such a vile evil person

His orange spray tan and that thing on his head are up for criticism when I feel like going there and I don't have any remorse when I do it. I would have horrible things to say about anyone that did horrible things. Its not because he's a Republican. Its because he's a deplorable person. I try not to discuss politics at work. Except with a few people that I share the same political views with. I have had political discussions in other public places though. Beauty salon, nail salon, on line in the supermarket.

[Hekate]

73. Trump is an incredibly vain and self-deluded man. Yes, he is fair game. Sarah HuckaSan's problems

...go much deeper than the face she was born with, and she is ripe for caricature by political cartoonists. The preacher's daughter lies so much and is so angry and contemptuous of reporters' questions that her face is distorted much further. And she dresses funny.

You know what? Among my friends and relatives are a whole variety of body types and problems, and I would never mock them. I would never mock strangers, either.

But people like Trump and Sarah H thrust themselves into my life -- all our lives -- with evil intent.

We have very few weapons to fight them with on a day to day basis, and satire and mockery have always been the weapons of the powerless.

I refuse to give up those weapons and I refuse to be shamed by misguided people who are so sensitive about themselves that they cannot see past that.

[True Dough]

74. "satire and mockery have always been the weapons of the powerless"

Show me the quotes from Barack Obama or Joe Biden where they tear down the opposition based on physical appearance and I'll change my mind.

[treestar]

82. Neither of the two you mention are

amongst the powerless.

[True Dough]

86. Fair enough

So tell me, treestar, do you think either Obama or Biden would encourage the "powerless" to mock Republicans based on looks? Do you think Obama or Biden would even agree that we are "powerless?"

[Hekate]

88. Straw man

[True Dough]

90. Dodge

Typical discussion forum duck and cover.

[Hekate]

100. Meh

[Blecht]

75. I'm OK with it

But I understand if others are not OK.

I think his petty attacks on others make him fair game. "What's good for the goose, ..."

Full disclosure: I know I am about an inch taller than he is, and I am 6' 2". I weigh 250 lbs, and laugh very hard when I see the 239 pounds he lists as his weight. He is a minimum of 275 lbs. I once weighed 267 lbs, and when I did, I still didn't have his girth.

I am also approaching 60 years old, and I am developing the same "pouch" I've seen some people call his neck area. Again, it doesn't bother me, because I know it is just a part of getting older. I actually kind of like it when people make fun of him for it, because I know he would hate it if he saw it.

[IluvPitties]

76. The Trumpers are the enemy of the American people.

No mercy with them.

[bearsfootball516]

77. I don't do it. If others do, that's their business. But I don't.

[wryter2000]

78. Really bad idea

We rightly excoriate Trump for doing that sort of thing. How they look isn't the problem. Their lies, hate, and hypocrisy are...and their awful policies.

Maybe making fun of their clothing would be okay. That's a choice.

[jcgoldie]

79. I feel like Trump in particular is fair game for shallow attacks

Thats his entire schtick. When you send out dozens of tweets per week making fun of peoples physical appearances, baiting racism and sexism, and physically mock people with disabilities then you do not deserve respect in return.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

80. I may have to

stop watching all the late night shows.

[Iggo]

81. List of people who are fair game for ANYTHING.

1. Nazis

2. Zombies

That's it.

[Vinca]

85. You can't begin to imagine what I've said about the Orange Fuhrer in public places.

[Polybius]

87. If they can't help it, then no

If someone has a big nose, funny eyes, etc. then it's wrong to make fun of them for it. However, if someone has ridiculous hair (Trump), or uses spray-on hair, or dresses weird, then it's all fair game.

[Raine]

93. I try not to do it, it becomes too easy a habit when what's

really important (issues) get lost amongst the appearance insults.

[True Dough]

94. This is true

Much better to tackle the issues of substance.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

97. Sometimes you can spot an illness and maybe save their,

life!

[JI7]

98. depends, I'm ok with doing it to Trump

[trof]

99. Me? I feel just fine about it. If you don't, don't.

meh

[Hoyt]

102. After what they said about Obamas . . . . . .

Best to avoid saying anything, but it’s difficult and not going to criticize people when they try, but fail.

[samplegirl]

103. I think it's really childish

I would rather state the facts!

[True Dough]

104. Amen!

No shortage of facts to build an ENORMOUS case against the current administration. As a matter of FACT, that's what Mr. Mueller is doing.

[captain queeg]

105. It's not my go to criticism but I certainly don't feel guilty if I make a comment.

[sharedvalues]

106. I make fun of their intelligence for believing what Fox says

I think that’s important. Callljng them “suckers” works

[MFM008]

107. They get

What they give.

[VOX]

109. Fascists and traitors are fair game for caricature and mockery.

Our country is going through one of its darkest periods in its history. Laws are broken daily and laughed at. The current “president” makes fun of the dead and disabled, and traffics in hatred, mockery of the weak and defenseless, and brings shame to the office and the country as a whole. His family and most of the Republican Party do as well.

Democracies around the world are under attack, with our “president” leading the way, elevating other despots, sowing discord and blind hatred. Look at its latest results in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Mocking of dictators (including their physical appearance) is nothing new. Look through any history book that chronicle and illuminates the art of resistance against enemies of humanity. It isn’t pretty or polite, but when the very life of one’s country is at stake, one cannot tolerate the intolerant.