I was reading through your response thinking "What am I missing here?" and then came across this bit. Honestly, it would make sense that the way you consume information vs. me vs. anyone else is a big reason behind the gap in our individual perceptions. I have really come to enjoy Twitter (though I hear the kids don't think its cool anymore ), but I don't go there for political reporting. I used Facebook back when I was in high school and the early years of college when it was exclusive to .edu email addresses but don't go there much anymore, but I assume that is even more polarized when it comes to "news" links/stories. I am unfamiliar with the claims that google manipulated its algorithms, and while I will hold my reservations about the full extent of what you wrote, I don't think I have enough awareness of the issue to comment otherwise.m121c wrote:Keep in mind my observations and formed opinion about the media is strictly internet based, I do not turn my T.V. on very often nor watch the news daily.
I would agree that the vast majority of "news" that comes through those social channels is nothing more than click bait - I think that is partially what you are saying, but correct me if I'm wrong. I, on the other hand, consume my news through the national nightly news broadcast (DVR daily), a few morning shows here-and-there (mostly Morning Joe, not Today or any of that shit), and the newspaper (though not daily). When you spoke about the unfair treatment by media, I had assumed you meant by the major news outlets, which is what I have heard most from hardline conservatives before. I look at that in a similar way to the other topics we're discussing - I don't see it, but if so many others do, then there has to be some degree of credibility to that side. I am a constant skeptic, whether it's in regards to consuming news media or trying to make a purchase on Amazon, so I would like to think that I am decently reasonable about these things, but who knows...
I get some kind of odd enjoyment out of being able to empathize with someone who has different beliefs and perspectives than mine. I say that because I can 100% see why you would believe this, and that doesn't mean your 100% wrong, either. You already said that your in for Trump, and once you make a commitment to something - not even necessarily just talking about politics - its only human nature to defend that position. No qualms from me whatsoever on that, I'm the same way, just not with this one issue.m121c wrote:I see everything little thing about Donald Trump blown out of proportion, if the man so much as says hello in the wrong tone it's on the news the next day "Donald Trump very derogatory towards multi-racial reporter" and then it goes through the ringer down to some of most extreme liberal sites and their headlines are "Trump Racist to Mexican reporter, wants to build wall and throw her on the other side". (obviously that is made up and a stretch, but I make my point). .
So having said that, here are a couple of quick examples the types of things Trump says that I feel should rightfully draw concern/criticism/push-back/etc. and/or questions about his political beliefs and what he would do as President:
I think it's a pretty widely held belief that John McCain is a hero, if for nothing else than the fact he went to war for our country. The fact that he was captured is irrelevant to me when determining the amount of heroism he acted with in going to battle for us. I have no clue why he would insult a vet like this, regardless of whether they are a sitting Senator or work at the corner store.Trump wrote:Re:John McCain "He's not a war hero -- he's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured"
Just an outright lie that, again, I have no idea why he would say...Trump wrote:Re:American Muslims during 9/11 "Hey, I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down. And I watched in Jersey City, New Jersey, where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down"
Including this one as an example of why, if I'm a die-hard registered Republican, I can't stand what's going on in my party. The Republican candidate for President is a man who, set aside everything else about him, was a registered Democrat for the majority of his life and openly, publicly, and financially has supported Democratic candidates in the not-so-distant past...which leads to this one from only 8 years ago...Trump wrote:Re:Healthcare "Everybody’s got to be covered. This is an un-Republican thing for me to say . . . I am going to take care of everybody. I don’t care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody’s going to be taken care of much better than they’re taken care of now."
There are others that I would argue are inappropriate/inflammatory/etc., but I am trying to see the other perspective and don't want to initiate any bickering, so I tried to pick a couple that I feel are more straight forward and relevant to some of the comments I've made in this thread.Trump wrote:Comments on Hillary Clinton in 2008 "Hillary is smart, tough and a very nice person, so is her husband. Bill Clinton was a great president. They are fine people. Hillary was roughed up by the media, and it was a tough campaign for her, but she's a great trooper. Her history is far from being over."
That's a interesting point because I am in nearly the complete opposite environment. 90% of the people I interact with are old, white men who bitch and moan about everything that isn't exactly how they want it - which is often "that damn Obama" and "those damn liberals" - and are completely unwilling to accept any other point of view. So as a result, I have just stopped talking about politics or anything of the like because I have zero interest in getting into an argument with those types of people. It may be why I was so hesitant to talk about anything of substance here, because I by no means consider myself a liberal and hate when I get pigeonholed into that merely because I don't fully agree with everything some on the right believe.SMR 510RR wrote:I might have a slightly different outlook on this because I live in a very liberal place.
What irritates the hell out of me is that more people can't take a step back and realize the truth in this statement. The 2-party system, while infinitely frustrating lately, has been a proven model for governing, but it requires both sides to make the other strive to be better instead of tearing each other down for political gain - after all, we're all passionate about this stuff because it's our country these people are asking us to allow them to run, not any one political party/agenda.SMR 510RR wrote:You are free to have a different opinion than I do, that is part of what makes this Country great. It doesn't offend me in the slightest.