Quote

“Conspiracy theories generally make me feel so much better as a human being because I know I’m not stupid enough to actually believe them.”
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Question & Answer

Do you see yourself as someone who calls out idiocy in politics whenever it comes to light and from either side of the aisle or as someone who has an obvious slant in one direction? If the latter, how does this make you different from the politicians and news networks that you criticize?
Anonymous

I will gladly call out idiocy in politics on either side of the “aisle.” I know that stupidity, horrible things, and the existence of corruption are not exclusive to a particular faction.

Now, I have to admit that I have conservative leanings, but I don’t let those leanings influence anything other than my political ideology. I’m as apt to criticize a “tea party” movement as I am critics of Arizona’s recent immigration bill.

A quote that is famously misattributed to many people (I hear it most associated with Nixon) is that “Politics is show business for ugly people.” The key word in phrase - to me - is people. People exist on both sides of the political spectrum, thus idiocy is easy to be found on either side.

You might see me “call out” more of one particular side than an other. Usually, I’m making more objections to the left-leaning factions of the political spectrum but that isn’t to attempt to drag them through the mud, advance my own agenda, or blame them for every single horrible thing that happens in the world in the same way that George W. Bush became (and still is) a straw man for specific factions. The left-leaning aspects of our current political climate are the most prevalent with the Democratic Party holding power in the majority of government at the federal level. If Republicans were to take power of either chamber of Congress in the Fall, you would see a rise in my criticism of their actions and policies.

Finally, part of my explanation for being more vocally critical of left-leaning politicians is a reaction to the medium in which I am posting on: the Internet. More philosophically liberal viewpoints definitely have a greater voice on the Internet than conservative ones. If you look at Digg, live feeds from Twitter, political channels on Tumblr, and other things you would see stories, reactions, and opinions that are more supportive of left-leaning ideas and factions while being more critical of or eager to blame right-leaning movements and ideas. I guess you can simply say that I’m reacting to the more vocal political narrative of the Internet.

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Mr. Logan Goes To Washington

In less than two weeks, I’m traveling to Washington DC. I can’t believe, with all the foreign Capitals that I’ve visited and my political science degree, that I’ve never even considered visiting Washington. I’m definitely looking forward to it. 

I’m hoping to see every sight that I can on a historical-political level. I know it’s dangerous for me to do so considering I’m trying to kick the political habit. I may just “Marion Berry” the entire thing and relapse into the entire atmosphere. Fortunately, a good deal of my time is actually going to be spent in homeless shelters, helping out. 

I know, I know. Conservatives in Washington, helping out the poor… I should go ahead and turn in my “stereotypical-GOP-racist-bigot card.” The ghost of Nixon would be upset.

Quick thoughts:

  • No, this isn’t part of some uber-conservative-Glenn-Beck-tea-party protest for America. However, if I see one, I’ll laugh. Hard.
  • On the flip side of things, if I see a Code Pink protest, I’m totally going to ask for them to make me a sandwich while my friends and I play a game of Risk on the grass at the National Mall.
  • Anyone have any suggestions for what I definitely need to do that I haven’t thought of or usually wouldn’t think of doing?

I’m pumped.

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Question & Answer

How the hell can you live with yourself considering that you're a bigoted, evil, capitalist, racist, bible-thumping asshole of a right-wing scumbag. You and all your kind would do America a favor by committing mass-suicide.
Anonymous

Oh boy, I guess I should hash all this out.

I have no difficulty and no guilt in admitting that I am a capitalist. I know that word instantly causes instant, narrow-minded reactions and thoughts of a fat CEO, chomping on his cigar as he steals bags of cash and laughs at the starving poor person on the street. Unfortunately, that isn’t how capitalism works. Capitalism, at its core, is about efficiency. That efficiency does not have to include screwing over another human being for your own gain. Believe it or not, there is not a black-white/take-steal mode of capitalist operations.

As far as being a racist, I don’t hate people based on such shallow terms as their ethnicity alone. I have much greater things to do in life than participate in such the destruction of other human beings on a personal level just because of ancestral background or the level of melanin in their skin.

In regards to bible-thumping, I believe you have me confused with someone that is religious. I have faith. Faith and religion are two completely different things. Faith is a relationship that comes from knowing a God that loves me more than I deserve. Religion is control that comes out of any belief. I’m assuming that by “bible-thumping” you’re identifying me with the classic stereotype of a fanatical Christian that is quick to condemn others to hell. That’s not what Christ wants me to do. Christianity’s about God’s love. Sorry.

And as far as the “right-wing scumbag” comment goes, I’m assuming that you feel the need to associate me with the Republican party’s dirtiest players or the fringe aspects of “Tea partiers” or whatever. If you actually read my political thoughts/rants/raves you see that I have a bigger issue with policy and applying proper legality to government actions rather than sensationalist fears of terrorism, taxation, corporations, and tax cuts. I will gladly admit my errors in policy considerations and other things because I allow the facts, rather than politics, to influence my views.

And in regards to me being a “bigoted” and “evil” person, I would just like to say that an anonymous individual who makes sweeping generalizations based on an individual due to their faith and opinions on public policy and proceeds to cheer for that person’s death has no grounds to call anyone a bigot or evil.

The level of hate found in politics is absolutely sickening and you, my friend, are a prime example of that. I wish that you would channel your energy into something more productive to benefit those around you rather than letting this level of hate consume you. Calling someone “scum” or encouraging the death of someone never made the world a better place.

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Question & Answer

What do you honestly think of Sarah Palin?
Anonymous

Oh boy, I knew that this was eventually going to be asked. I’ll try to answer this without going on a huge political rant that will only cause my political sobriety to lapse…

Do I like her? No, not much at all. I honestly consider her to be one of the weaker aspects of the “conservative” movement. I think she is a shallow representation of ideas that have potential for good in the United States, which only harms the delivery of said ideas to the public. She appeals to a large niche of individuals that base their political philosophies and ideas based on knee-jerk reactions to what they are told rather than what they discover and ponder (not unlike a Fox News, MSNBC, or DailyKos fan).

Do I think she’s an idiot? Not necessarily. I don’t think she’s a profound intellectual, if that’s what you’re asking. She’s just a public figure and nothing more. She’s become a straw-man to those wanting to tear down right-leaning ideas in the same way that they do with Fox News or the Tea Party movement or “birthers.” When she’s attacked, I always see it as an attack on her as a person rather than the tattered shreds of the mediocre representations of ideas that she presents. I honestly feel that insulting or trying to discredit her is kind of redundant and only makes you look like the bigger fool.

In short, I think of Sarah Palin in the same regard that I do Sean Hannity and Keith Olbermann.

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