Resolved: in terms of political status, victim trumps all.

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

This is not a left/right issue but just an overall sociological observation. Most political positions are staked out in terms of victim status. This observation does not discount the actual victim status of an actual victim; all I'm suggesting is that the victim status is the ultimate political position in American politics. Democrats and Republicans use it mercilessly. It's really something else. Again, my point here is that it's not about truth but about rhetoric. Ultimately, though, when push comes to shove, we all wish to be victims simply because it is an elevated status in our society. Once we can claim we have been offended or are a aggrieved we feel privileged to a certain higher position to speak on issues; this does not discount that those who have suffered can't offer valuable insight into said topic of discussion.

Simple examples:
Abortion: mother as victim of those who wish to control her body; fetus as victim of murder.
Same sex marriage: LGBT as victims not being represented by gov., being oppressed, etc.; religious individuals as being denied their rights to religious freedom.
Pit bulls: dogs unleashed on children; dogs mistreated and misunderstood, victims of their owners.
Guns: guns lead to horrible crimes against children and society in general; people try to depict them as blood-thirsty, selfish rubes.
Affirmative action: minorities need to be given special consideration because of their status as either present victim or victim of heritage; whites who aren't afforded same consideration are now the new victims.
Health care: citizens deserve to be protected against illness and to have access to well-being; you can't force citizens to do things against their free will.
Christmas: tired of having God shoved down our throats; tired of having God cut off from public displays.

Please note: I realize all sorts of people make different arguments for these positions. I realize there are logical, nuanced considerations on both sides that don't resort to these facile appeals to victimage. But just listen to/watch/read mainstream treatments of these topics, and the victim as God becomes apparent.

***Disclosure: I've stolen all of the above largely from Nietzsche.

[karend62]

1. poor Ted

Still trying to wrap my head around this Ted Cruz interview with Chris Wallace. The audience in Washington laughed at him but apparently the folks back home in Texas are buying it hook, line, and sinker.

Poor Ted. So misunderstood...

I didn't want a shutdown

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

2. But everything the man does begins with victim status.

Usually, he begins with the way in which his life and those of "simple" Murikans are under siege. All progresses from here, including the way in which the media distorts his message

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

3. Oh, dear lord, just listening to conversations today confirmed my thesis.

Good lord, we are all victims--all of us! It truly was simply a race to see who was victimizing whom the most.

Therefore, Nietzsche wins. Or Jesus. But these are the only two nominees.