Too controversial?

[forumdude]

Hey do you fellas think this is too controversial to post at our Facebook page? People are so sensitive about politics.



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[cckeiser]

Yeah dude...why get involved in the political arena at all dude? But if you're going to....make it something positive. Like Vote for Gary Johnson...he will legalize marijuana!
We also got to consider...got to consider the politics on this side of the pond are of little interest to our bothers and sisters dudes on the other side of the pond...or elsewhere!
Just like my opinion dude.

[forumdude]

I agree. Discussing politics is not usually very productive. You're right - presenting an alternative is the only way to do it. People don't take kindly to having their political beliefs questioned. And this image sort of pisses on the rugs of both sides. No way to win friends with that image! Sometimes it's hard to suppress my inner trickster but that's what you guys are for. Keep me in line!

[forumdude]

What do you think about this new board though? Should we have a place here to discuss politics? Maybe I should change it to "The Dudeocrat Party" to see if people have ideas on how to start a new party. Personally I think a mild form of Libertarianism without the severe economic idealism and a more humane safety net might be very dude. But that's just my opinion. Dangerous waters to tread perhaps.

[forumdude]

Okay, I changed it. Let's see what happens. If it gets too ugly I can always remove it.

Shame that politics is such a hard thing to talk about. I wonder why? It used to be that to avoid problems, you weren't supposed to discuss Politics, religion or sex. Religion and sex don't seem to be problematic (at least in the West). But politics is still a violent mosh pit.

[DigitalBuddha]

What do you think about this new board though? Should we have a place here to discuss politics? Maybe I should change it to "The Dudeocrat Party" to see if people have ideas on how to start a new party. Personally I think a mild form of Libertarianism without the severe economic idealism and a more humane safety net might be very dude. But that's just my opinion. Dangerous waters to tread perhaps.

A dude should never be afraid to discuss anything, politics included; that's just like my opinion, man.

[forumdude]

yeah, but i guess there's also the idea that sometimes too much sarcasm could be needlessly offensive. the pic might just be in bad taste. but then again, maybe after a few beverages i'll say fuck it and post it anyway. i'm sort of curious to see what the reaction would be.

[Zen Dog]

Politics is a funny old game.Like religion,it's all about belief systems which usually develop with experience and lifestyle.And like religion, there is usually a lot of dogma.A priest will stand in a pulpit and say "do this and you will be saved".A politician stands on a soapbox and does the same.The one significant difference of course is that we have direct experience of the one but not the other.And our experiences vary widely.I'm starting to ramble here,so to cut to the chase,could you "sell" abiding,taking it easy and slacking as a political management structure? There was a micro nation once called Lovely and the citizens were encouraged to perform Random Acts Of Kindness.With no expectation of thanks or reward.Akin to missionary work I suppose.Perhaps this would be a better direction.Initially at least.Zen Dog.

[forumdude]

yes i saw that UK program about Lovely - How to Start Your Own Country. Very inspiring and could come in handy if we ever decide to start a micronation!

I think what politics and religion have in common is that they are oracles for how to make the future better. But of course they are just hunches. Most political rhetoric is based on promises that never come to pass, or assumptions about causality that are often misguided (Reagan and Clinton were not responsible for their fine economic climate, just as Obama and Bush Sr. were not responsible for theirs, IMDO - forgive me if I only use Yankee examples. I know little about politics to cite only myopic illustrations.) People desperately want to believe that they can engineer a better future with the right political choices. But nobody knows what's around the corner. It's just too damn complicated. Religion goes a step further, telling people what happens after they die. It's so hard to stop worrying about which path to take in life that people hunger for models, however spurious, to help them feel as if they can choose properly.

[DigitalBuddha]

yeah, but i guess there's also the idea that sometimes too much sarcasm could be needlessly offensive. the pic might just be in bad taste. but then again, maybe after a few beverages i'll say fuck it and post it anyway. i'm sort of curious to see what the reaction would be.

Life always seems to look different through a few oat sodas or a few of my favorites; A Tom Collins

[Zen Dog]

Yep.Lotta ins.Lotta outs.Lotta what have yous.Really became to much for this old dudes head.
          ZEN DOG
He knows not where he's  going
The ocean will decide
It's not the destination
It's the glory of the ride.

[A Stoned Buddha]

Yeah man, I don't any topics should be inherently un-talk-about-able. Shunning certain ideas gives those ideas more power than they really contain. Politics is a necessary part of human cohabitation. Now, I personally think debating the merits of the demacraps versus the repubilctwats is a pointless endeavour, but I do think a reimagining of democracy and of how best to move on to a better style of governence is worthwhile. I have a few thoughts on the matter I'd like to bounce around with some open minds after a J and beverage. Keep it easy Dudes.

[DigitalBuddha]

Yeah man, I don't any topics should be inherently un-talk-about-able. Shunning certain ideas gives those ideas more power than they really contain. Politics is a necessary part of human cohabitation. Now, I personally think debating the merits of the demacraps versus the repubilctwats is a pointless endeavour, but I do think a reimagining of democracy and of how best to move on to a better style of governence is worthwhile. I have a few thoughts on the matter I'd like to bounce around with some open minds after a J and beverage. Keep it easy Dudes.

Hey A Stoned Buddha, good to see you here, mang. Welcome to our (sometimes) quiet beach community. Grab a spot on the rug and abide. Bars' over there, dude.

[Hominid]

I'll sometimes post slightly controversial images or statements on Facebook, just to get a rise. (Who, lil' ol' ME?!?    )  But I do it with a mission in mind: political correctness and the fear of offending is sometimes taken too far, so a jab in the ribs is sometimes called for... you know, to wake us up a bit. I even shook my fist at the Taliban this week on FB; most will know why.

And also, I've made some pretty significant ideological 180's in my past, so if someone is truly looking for truth and common sense, being made uncomfortable with the odd nudge is a good thing.

All that said, offending simply (and only) for the sake of offending is silly. IMDO of course... 

[A Stoned Buddha]

Thanks man. I think I'll just stretch out over here if nobody minds.