General Discussion

RecoveringJournalist

(226 posts)

61. It's Human Nature

Sun Jun 7, 2015, 03:13 PM

Jun 2015

Glad to K & R this.

I look at name-calling as an unfortunate aspect of human nature. And there have been numerous studies which equate people's views of politics with people's views of sports. Our "team" is trying to defeat their "team." The opponents must be defeated at any cost. We've all seen a lot of screaming and yelling at sporting events at opposing players, umps, and even fisticuffs among the opposing fans. When "we win" we high five each other, laugh at opposing fans leaving the arena and generally celebrate our superiority. When "we lose" we let our fingers fly in the air, quietly (or vocally) seethe, and plan our way to "get them next time."

I see that reality becoming the norm in politics. Anyone from the "other" party is a member of the other team. Therefore, they MUST BE DEFEATED.

I don't associate myself with any political "team." Therefore, the names don't really hurt me. If other people would do the same, it might not sting so hard. Meanwhile, we all need to realize that some people unfortunately put their entire life experience behind a political ideology. Putting it down (or a candidate which support it) is putting THEM down in their eyes.

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This thread may not go well.. but it has to be said... [View all] Peacetrain Jun 2015 OP

Good suggestions. Most are followed by MineralMan Jun 2015 #1

This thread should get hundreds of replies mcar Jun 2015 #2

Indeed mythology Jun 2015 #34

"names they would not call their worst enemy" alc Jun 2015 #3

I went through the same thing DFW Jun 2015 #22

I once asked Skinner... Phentex Jun 2015 #30

There is problems with enforcing of rules that gets made worse when we don't alert and join juries.. marble falls Jun 2015 #32

My experience was a direct opposite to what you said. DFW Jun 2015 #37

There have been rumors that some people alert late at night to use smaller jury pools to drive out.. marble falls Jun 2015 #41

Your objection was vindicated....yet you complain that you aren't being MADem Jun 2015 #48

"There are some really good people on here." awoke_in_2003 Jun 2015 #77

Thanks for the vote of confidence! DFW Jun 2015 #86

If you refuse to serve on any jury, MADem Jun 2015 #36

Exactly right. Everybody should also join Mirt for a term. Next one starts up for July1, I think.... marble falls Jun 2015 #39

I respectfully disagree. DFW Jun 2015 #40

No they are not. I invite your attention to those community standards. MADem Jun 2015 #47

You did explain a thing or two I didn't know about how the system works. DFW Jun 2015 #85

Well, this is a 'situation' that you have the power to improve. MADem Jun 2015 #87

You call Viguerie a friend because he's "civil" around other people? WinkyDink Jun 2015 #43

No, because he's civil and respectful to me. Therefore, I am to him, too. DFW Jun 2015 #94

I agree. cui bono Jun 2015 #51

IOW, calling Hillary a "dupe" for her Iraq War Vote in 2002 is a no-no, as is calling her a KingCharlemagne Jun 2015 #4

Exactly. Buzz Clik Jun 2015 #9

Mahalo Peacetrain~ Cha Jun 2015 #5

Let's be frank DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #6

Depends on the milieu and how drunnk they are. But anyway. . . . JDPriestly Jun 2015 #13

Yep. I've always considered swearing a crutch. raouldukelives Jun 2015 #27

Only if you let me be Jim. cherokeeprogressive Jun 2015 #16

Amen! (nt) paleotn Jun 2015 #24

No, you can't be Jim, I got there first. (n/t) Jim Lane Jun 2015 #49

Damn. And me, a James Christopher. n/t cherokeeprogressive Jun 2015 #56

Glad to rec. nt wiggs Jun 2015 #7

Well said. +1 Buzz Clik Jun 2015 #8

I have observed the name calling happens when name calling is the first resort to a reasonable reply Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #10

It's just a cultural thing. If you came to America and did not know the language, you would not JDPriestly Jun 2015 #19

I was born in the USA, as a female I find the word VERY OFFENSIIVE. Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #31

As well you should. Its used to be offensive and drive women away from the conversation. marble falls Jun 2015 #33

I have a similar take on words as JDPriestly does PersonNumber503602 Jun 2015 #50

Some words should never be used, it really does not matter how and where they grew up, Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #54

As a male, I find the word VERY OFFENSIVE when used toward women. I have given my KingCharlemagne Jun 2015 #83

Thank you, we appreciate your help. Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #84

You are one to talk LiberalLovinLug Jun 2015 #58

I have called him a thief of which he admitted he had stolen files, you can not find a vile name Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #60

So "scumbag" isn't vile? LiberalLovinLug Jun 2015 #70

Surely you know the difference. Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #71

You sure have it twisted around LiberalLovinLug Jun 2015 #93

Wow, even you could testify for the FOJ against Snowden. BTW, I know what data is in the phone call Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #95

Your mind is like a forest LiberalLovinLug Jun 2015 #96

Yes, I can see the forest and the trees. Glad you pointed this out, perhaps others will begin to Thinkingabout Jun 2015 #97

I agree, but would add two things: Vattel Jun 2015 #11

Count me in. Pretend you're talking to a beloved relative...debating...discussing...but with libdem4life Jun 2015 #12

I agree. cwydro Jun 2015 #14

Yup. Agschmid Jun 2015 #15

Well said. silverweb Jun 2015 #17

Agreed. 99Forever Jun 2015 #18

Thank you for making that distinction. Enthusiast Jun 2015 #21

nor is it "hate" nt grasswire Jun 2015 #29

Name calling doesn't help elect candidates imo. yardwork Jun 2015 #20

Glad to KnR, Peacetrain Hekate Jun 2015 #23

One of the advantages with having political discussions with this sort of format is Half-Century Man Jun 2015 #25

K&R BumRushDaShow Jun 2015 #26

You mean when, back during the 2008 Primary... BeatleBoot Jun 2015 #28

Very good post. treestar Jun 2015 #35

Amen to THAT!!!!!!!!!! DFW Jun 2015 #92

Well said n/t Spazito Jun 2015 #38

One of it's names is civility. cheapdate Jun 2015 #42

A GREAT idea is to support all our potential candidates, while being critical of issues Rex Jun 2015 #44

Disagree. cui bono Jun 2015 #53

cyberdisinabition grows daily with the internet's population olddots Jun 2015 #45

K&R nt Andy823 Jun 2015 #46

WORD mahina Jun 2015 #52

This place would be much better if we all avoided using pejoratives. Maedhros Jun 2015 #55

As far as I know, there are yuiyoshida Jun 2015 #57

K&R. Thanks for posting this. (nt) Paladin Jun 2015 #59

It's Human Nature RecoveringJournalist Jun 2015 #61

If only... 63splitwindow Jun 2015 #62

I've suprised myself how personally I've taken those ... betsuni Jun 2015 #63

K&R this entire thread. tjl148 Jun 2015 #64

You must nevetheless admit that when a President breaks his promises to the middle class . . . DrBulldog Jun 2015 #65

Welcome to DU, BOTH of you! DrBulldog and also tjl148! calimary Jun 2015 #69

K & R Scurrilous Jun 2015 #66

Ditto dpatbrown Jun 2015 #67

Thank you Peacetrain. lovemydog Jun 2015 #68

KnR~ sheshe2 Jun 2015 #72

If you can't get your point across without calling someone a name WHEN CRABS ROAR Jun 2015 #73

Agree daredtowork Jun 2015 #74

I was a moderator during awoke_in_2003 Jun 2015 #75

You aren't considering when emotionalism overrides objectivity tymorial Jun 2015 #76

very well said Skittles Jun 2015 #80

That is brilliant Kalidurga Jun 2015 #78

Cyber sticks and stones seveneyes Jun 2015 #79

Well said and thank you /nt jimlup Jun 2015 #81

Agree 100% SnohoDem Jun 2015 #82

I appreciate what you're saying, however.... the_sly_pig Jun 2015 #88

An adult Has entered the room blondie58 Jun 2015 #89

Bless you yourpicturehere Jun 2015 #90

I had hoped this election season the site would be more civil. I was wrong. Vinca Jun 2015 #91