General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy would you follow a weather vane?
It just shows you where the wind is coming from, spinning as the winds change. It won't help you escape the path of a storm.
When you need to know what direction to move, you need a compass. A pointer that is rock steady in where it aims without regard to the winds. A thing that has always pointed that direction. An instrument that can help you find your bearings and help you find a path to your goals.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)and for many people that's about as much planning as they can accommodate in their lives.
djean111
(14,255 posts)direction is because of a risk, or because there is a risk of losing votes or antagonizing big money backers.
hootinholler
(26,449 posts)When it starts spinning wildly, you know you're fucked.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)hootinholler
(26,449 posts)Only that it's not something to be followed.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,716 posts)Some hills I am willing to die for
-Marriage equality and adding glbtq citizens to the landmark civil rights legislation of the 60s including freedom from not being discriminated against in the workplace, housing and accommodations
-Providing a path to citizenship for all undocumented workers and their families
-Access to health care independent of ability to pay.
-A livable wage
-Paid leave
-Criminal justice reform
-reproductive rights
Stopping a trade agreement that I haven't seen isn't a hill I would die for.
hootinholler
(26,449 posts)Plant a weather vane on each hill. Where did it point when?
Now plant a compass on each hill. I don't have to ask where it pointed, I know where it was pointing the whole time.
There are really only two places a compass fails naturally on the earth: The Magnetic Poles where any direction is North or South. Any error elsewhere on earth is from some outside influence.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,716 posts)I have certain core convictions. They are non-negotiable. On some other issues I am more flexible. There are times I am willing to sail against the wind and times that I don't believe it's worth the effort...
madokie
(51,076 posts)scoot your butt over on that there bench, I need room to sit down too
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)They were fine many years ago when this country was being built but as soon as your fancy-dancy campass things (or whatever you call them) were invented it's "The vanes aren't good enough for us".
You people make me sick.
hootinholler
(26,449 posts)Then you'll see the error of your ways.
You'll be sorry then I guarandamntee it
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)uppityperson
(115,681 posts)Compasses are useful for navigating, but having a map is also useful. Limitations of compasses as they tell you nothing about the conditions.
A weathervane tells you which way the wind is blowing and if the storm is blowing, then it tells you which direction from you it is. Weathervanes are also useful for things like landing airplanes. i wouldn't use a weathervane to travel cross country in the mountains, but they are good at telling you where the storm is.
To escape a storm you need to know where it is (weathervane) and make sure once you run away that you continue in the right direction (compass)
I am sure you meant this broadly politically, but no. A compass only tells you a direction, not what is happening in that direction. A weathervane tells you where the winds are coming from. It is good to have both as they do different things.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)NewSystemNeeded
(111 posts)hootinholler
(26,449 posts)It's like the logo was made for that.
Flying Squirrel
(3,041 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,374 posts)--- Gen. Omar Bradley, 1948
Not a new sentiment.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Omar_Bradley
madokie
(51,076 posts)The man has been a rock solid compass since day one. He doesn't have to change much either as he's been on the right path mostly the whole time. I like it when a person realizes they're wrong and do all they can to get back on track. I have to make corrections as I learn new tricks from time to time