General US Politics Discussion

[DEALUX]

It's kinda hard to distinguish between empathy and sympathy, at least in my mind. Empathy is actually not inherently good and therefore it should not be considered to be the single source of understanding in any given situation involving people. It's more like a tool to get you to do something as opposed to a source of understanding or wisdom.

 

Empathy without reason is completely devoid of meaning. It is what animal rights activists feel when they wish certain people would die for killing animals. In that case (and many others), it's completely irrational and useless. You get a deeper understanding of something through reason (or rather empathy justified by reason). I witness an excessive empathic response in myself sometimes but I don't act on it (ironically, one of the worst images I've seen on the internet was that of a crucified cat and it ruined my entire day when I saw it but I wouldn't count that kind of response as a justification to kill or hurt the people responsible for it).

[ten-a-penny]

You are constantly crying over gays so I figured this issue must be especially personal to you.

It is a bit odd though, you're so hard on for defending them and yet you immediately recoil when I assume that you're gay.

 

 

 

 

You can care/worry about non-Straights even if you're Straight. Surprising, right?

I do not condone racism or homophobia. Never once have I said anything that could be construed as such by any reasonable person

Yet you support the very dicktard who doesn't want Trans people to serve in the military..... while dodging the draft himself.

then that just means you think being a homosexual is wrong.

Jesus f*ck, the more posts you make, the more you ruin your image (as if it isn't ruined already). How, in the name of f*ck, did you came up with that concept?

Oh and I didn't know you were a straight female. Wanna explain this? #230.

wat

 

 

You have no ground to stand on.

[Creed Bratton]

Empathy without reason is completely devoid of meaning.

It's a good thing that humans are capable of both then. At least some.

[Spaghetti Cat]

Boy you guys missed a golden zinger:

 

"Hey Chiari I'll donate $10 if ya shut yer pie hole har har har"

 

 

Kidding kidding. On a serious note, and since we have a man on the ground there in Houston, Chiari is there any local charities/food banks/churches/housing centers etc. that would come recommended? We know about places like Red Cross or Salvation Army, but some of the local charities do quite a bit of work as well. I ask a local because nobody wants money to go to waste or get scammed. If there are people that need help I'm sure the community here at GTAF would help. Maybe an ADMIN can put something up in Gen Chat or Announcements, but don't want to step on any toes here. Think we've done something like that before, Japan earthquake?, can't remember. Anyways, best Texas!

 

 

 

 

So an update on the Antifa situation. Department of Homeland Security has labeled Black Block and Antifa as engaging in "domestic terrorist activities". To those of you that signed the petition, thank you. Keep it up!

 

 

Federal authorities have been warning state and local officials since early 2016 that leftist extremists known as “antifa” had become increasingly confrontational and dangerous, so much so that the Department of Homeland Security formally classified their activities as “domestic terrorist violence,” according to interviews and confidential law enforcement documents obtained by POLITICO.

 

Since well before the Aug. 12 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned deadly, DHS has been issuing warnings about the growing likelihood of lethal violence between the left-wing anarchists and right-wing white supremacist and nationalist groups.

Previously unreported documents disclose that by April 2016, authorities believed that “anarchist extremists” were the primary instigators of violence at public rallies against a range of targets. They were blamed by authorities for attacks on the police, government and political institutions, along with symbols of “the capitalist system,” racism, social injustice and fascism, according to a confidential 2016 joint intelligence assessment by DHS and the FBI.

After President Donald Trump’s election in November, the antifa activists locked onto another target — his supporters

 

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/01/antifa-charlottesville-violence-fbi-242235

 

 

[Tchuck]

 

Since well before the Aug. 12 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned deadly, DHS has been issuing warnings about the growing likelihood of lethal violence between the left-wing anarchists and right-wing white supremacist and nationalist groups.

 

Funny how only one of those groups gets tagged as a terrorist group. And it isn't the one actively preaching hate based on a perceived racial/religious/national superiority, and committing attacks of similar type as actual terrorist groups.

Edited September 5, 2017 by Tchuck

[Chiarii]

Boy you guys missed a golden zinger:

 

"Hey Chiari I'll donate $10 if ya shut yer pie hole har har har"

 

 

Kidding kidding. On a serious note, and since we have a man on the ground there in Houston, Chiari is there any local charities/food banks/churches/housing centers etc. that would come recommended? We know about places like Red Cross or Salvation Army, but some of the local charities do quite a bit of work as well. I ask a local because nobody wants money to go to waste or get scammed. If there are people that need help I'm sure the community here at GTAF would help. Maybe an ADMIN can put something up in Gen Chat or Announcements, but don't want to step on any toes here. Think we've done something like that before, Japan earthquake?, can't remember. Anyways, best Texas!

 

The Houston food bank would be an excellent choice. It supplies food for the entire southeast Texas area. Osteen's church will probably provide the most in relief funding/materials but he's currently catching some flack for not opening up the doors quick enough (which was the right thing to do as many more people would have likely died trying to get there rather than staying put for rescue). However I'm confident that almost all churches will be providing relief where they can. Goodwill is another choice for donations. The medical center, especially Texas Children's Hospital and Ben Taub are also good.

 

Keep in mind that some areas of Texas, like Brazoria county, have not even seen the worst of the flooding yet. The water from the city of Houston and the surrounding area is flowing down to that county.

 

Thanks

Edited September 5, 2017 by Chiari

[Creed Bratton]

Trump's bringing the US one step closer to total oligarchy, as predicted: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-lobbyist-golf-course-membership-lists-ceos-contractors-revealed-a7932761.html

 

He is the biggest swamp monster of them all.

Edited September 6, 2017 by The Yokel

[El Dildo]

whatever happened to "drain the swamp?"

 

oh right.

just another one of the hundred thousand blatant lies he told to the dumbasses who voted for him. remember how he warned us that Hillary Clinton would be the 'Goldman Sachs' president? and now half his inner circle is comprised of former Goldman Sachs employees? that's cool...

Edited September 6, 2017 by El Diablo

[SaveTheZombies]

Drain the swamp was the only part of his message that I liked but I knew he was full of sh*t. Anyone who has rented an apt in NYC in the past 40 years, knows he's part of the swamp. Of course I wasn't surprised to see lobbyists and corporate shills fill his cabinet but my oldest friend (who was a rabid trump supporter) was both shocked and pissed.

[Creed Bratton]

my oldest friend (who was a rabid trump supporter) was both shocked and pissed.

That's actually good. At least he's not lying to himself to justify his terrible choice, like some people here.

[Creed Bratton]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-hillary-clinton-stephen-colbert_us_59b23843e4b0dfaafcf6dc94

 

Just listen to the way that he speaks. It's all about the people and the country (also the rest of the world) for him. He even wrote the book about other people essentially. And what did Hillary write a book about - herself. Sure, she's better than Trump, but so is the Bubonic plague.

 

EDIT: Also, Trump supporters are racists, according to a study: http://www.theroot.com/study-a-picture-of-a-black-person-can-anger-trump-supp-1802753905/amp

 

Just in case it wasn't obvious when Obama got elected that there's a huge chunk of the American people who can't stand black people.

Edited September 9, 2017 by The Yokel

[make total destroy]

 

So an update on the Antifa situation. Department of Homeland Security has labeled Black Block and Antifa as engaging in "domestic terrorist activities". To those of you that signed the petition, thank you. Keep it up!

 

'Antifa' isn't a group, and black bloc is a tactic. So basically, the DHS is just as clueless as you are.

 

Giving the state the power to label anyone a 'domestic terrorist' is definitely progress, though.

 

 

 

sh*t wait no it isn't.

[seven50iL]

RIP to all of the innocent lives lost on this day. #NeverForget

[make total destroy]

Oh look, another white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of people. Luckily, no one seems to have been seriously injured this time.

"After the man was arrested, a group called the "Proud Boys" drove down Columbia Ave and sprayed pepper spray out their windows at protesters in the street. The counter-protesters lobbed rocks at their truck.

Police stopped the Proud Boys, but did not detain them. Fifteen minutes later they drove away."

 

Hmm...Really makes you think.

[Svip]

In their defence, even the US doesn't have prisons large enough to lock up half the country.

[Spaghetti Cat]

Except that's not the whole story. MTD may fool you but he's not fooling me. See there were arrests, just of the black-clad variety.

 

 

Police said the behavior of groups that had gathered at Waterfront Park escalated and that protesters threw rocks, smoke bombs and other projectiles at officers.

 

http://www.kptv.com/story/36331589/police-7-taken-into-custody-at-downtown-portland-rallies

 

That would be these friendly folks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

These people dress in all black and use intimidating tactics because they area against nazi's, it's a form of irony.

 

And now these are some of the folks arrested, unmasked. Including one...fella (?) who assaulted a police officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event with the car occurred after the violence came from antifa. If I need to say that people shouldn't run over peaceful protesters, sure count me in. Let's see if those on the far left wish to condone the violence coming from their side...been waiting for a while now.

 

But I'm not getting off track on the good things that are happening. Just like 16 years ago today lots of Americans are comping together. Like in Texas and Florida after two major hurricanes. the federal government has mobilized to come help those effected. This is what the federal government should do. It's nice to see an effective response, about time too!

 

Thanks PDT!

 

 

 

 

[Saggy]

Except that's not the whole story. MTD may fool you but he's not fooling me. See there were arrests, just of the black-clad variety.

 

 

Police said the behavior of groups that had gathered at Waterfront Park escalated and that protesters threw rocks, smoke bombs and other projectiles at officers.

 

http://www.kptv.com/story/36331589/police-7-taken-into-custody-at-downtown-portland-rallies

 

That would be these friendly folks:

 

 

 

 

 

 

These people dress in all black and use intimidating tactics because they area against nazi's, it's a form of irony.

 

And now these are some of the folks arrested, unmasked. Including one...fella (?) who assaulted a police officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event with the car occurred after the violence came from antifa. If I need to say that people shouldn't run over peaceful protesters, sure count me in. Let's see if those on the far left wish to condone the violence coming from their side...been waiting for a while now.

 

But I'm not getting off track on the good things that are happening. Just like 16 years ago today lots of Americans are comping together. Like in Texas and Florida after two major hurricanes. the federal government has mobilized to come help those effected. This is what the federal government should do. It's nice to see an effective response, about time too!

 

Thanks PDT!

 

 

 

 

 

Oh... So what you're saying then is that these "Proud Boys" were screaming up the street spraying mase at the people in self-defense? Is that what you're saying? Because honestly I can't tell anymore. It almost seems like you're saying it doesn't matter that the Proud Boys or another right-wing extremist attacked people as long as the left attacked someone first. Because you know, two wrongs make a right. So that would leave the idea that they were drive-by pepper spraying in self-defense as the only logical conjecture left to make.

 

So yeah let us know where you were going with that

[Spaghetti Cat]

Perhaps you haven't been following along so I'll say it for the umpteenth time. Violence to further political goals is unacceptable. Been pretty consistent on that for a long time. Including a few months back when a Congressman was shot and nearly killed by a Bernie supporter. If I need to repeat: violence to further political goals is unacceptable.

 

Hope that helps clear things up.

 

I don't support these proud boys any more than I do the antifa thugs. Please don't misunderstand pointing out the truth for support.

Edited September 11, 2017 by Spaghetti Cat

[Creed Bratton]

You keep pretending like they're the same, which is pretty much just white supremacy apologism. You know it, we know it, and we both know that we both know it. So cut the sh*t. It's obvious that you don't mind white supremacy that much. You wouldn't be a Trump supporter after everything that's happened otherwise.

[Saggy]

Perhaps you haven't been following along so I'll say it for the umpteenth time. Violence to further political goals is unacceptable. Been pretty consistent on that for a long time. Including a few months back when a Congressman was shot and nearly killed by a Bernie supporter. If I need to repeat: violence to further political goals is unacceptable.

 

Hope that helps clear things up.

 

I don't support these proud boys any more than I do the antifa thugs. Please don't misunderstand pointing out the truth for support.

 

Umm I'm having a pretty tough time buying what you're selling. You're just concerned about pointing out that antifa members were arrested? Okay, well, thanks for the update on that, but what's your point? That's what's missing, and what's leaving me to assume you're equivocating these two things. Which is lofty ground already, but is missing the point: These Proud Boys apparently committed a mass assault and were basically "let go" by police.

 

Actually the article states that they continued on down the road and crashed into a police vehicle, so one must wonder if drugs/alcohol were involved, or if perhaps there was some contamination issues from the pepper spray they were using and it doesn't really elaborate any further than that.

 

I wasn't actually being facetious when suggesting they could have been acting in self-defense; I don't see it as that likely, but it's possible and when dismissing my own biases, it's a possibility to be accepted. But basically you've just entirely glossed over this entire part of the story to point out that leftist extremists were arrested too? Why, what's the point? It doesn't even remotely answer to the most grievous implications of this news story.

[Spaghetti Cat]

Not sure why you jump straight to that conclusion saggy. Completing a half-truth isn't some sort of equivocation. People shouldn't be spraying paper spray out the windows of cars at protesters. Period. Full stop.

 

The man who came up to the crowd in his truck was detained. I can't tell you why he was then released by the police, you'd have to ask them. What I can tell you is that several of the black-clad antifa members were arrested. This was totally left out of the link MTD was posting, and I'm guessing that was intentional.

 

 

Once again I hope that clears things up.

[Saggy]

Not sure why you jump straight to that conclusion saggy. Completing a half-truth isn't some sort of equivocation. People shouldn't be spraying paper spray out the windows of cars at protesters. Period. Full stop.

 

The man who came up to the crowd in his truck was detained. I can't tell you why he was then released by the police, you'd have to ask them. What I can tell you is that several of the black-clad antifa members were arrested. This was totally left out of the link MTD was posting, and I'm guessing that was intentional.

 

 

Once again I hope that clears things up.

Uhh, well for the sake of clarity, the guy that was in the truck was arrested. The drive-by pepper-sprayers were not detained and the police let them drive off. Still curious about what happened to them after they reportedly crashed into a police cruiser though, the article doesn't state that. It seems like it's not very thorough.

 

However, I still think that pointing out that leftist extremists--and I'm hesitant to call them "antifa" because that's really lending more of a cohesive tone that can't be confirmed--were arrested does little to comment on the real meat of this story that the people who were pepper-spraying people out of the truck were let go by the police.

 

Why do you think that was? It's not about whether you think it's wrong or not.

[Eutyphro]

"After the man was arrested, a group called the "Proud Boys" drove down Columbia Ave and sprayed pepper spray out their windows at protesters in the street. The counter-protesters lobbed rocks at their truck.

Police stopped the Proud Boys, but did not detain them. Fifteen minutes later they drove away."

You are aware that Antifa uses pepper spray all the time right? Who are you to condemn anyone for using it, in self defence or attack?

 

does little to comment on the real meat of this story that the people who were pepper-spraying people out of the truck were let go by the police. Why do you think that was? It's not about whether you think it's wrong or not.

We can only speculate right? It seems they were under quite a lot of assault. This is what they say themselves: https://twitter.com/nwproudboys/status/907303907969294336

 

We can only speculate whether they used it in defence or offence, as opposed to the legion of examples where we know Antifa mace people unprovoked all the time.

Edited September 11, 2017 by Eutyphro

[El Dildo]

RIP to all of the innocent lives lost on this day. #NeverForget

hey guess what; you know who did forget?

president Donald Trump.

 

most US politicians tweeted or sent out messages today about 9/11

Biden, Obama, Hillary, Bush. all living former presidents. many members of congress. the Pentagon.

 

Trump has 2 twitter accounts and the platform of the executive office.

he remembers to send out messages demeaning immigrants and gay people and minorities. he remembers to tweet about celebrity feuds and gossip. but the leader of the free world couldn't be bothered to say something about 9/11 on 9/11...

 

 

 

 

 

These people dress in all black and use intimidating tactics because they are against nazi's, it's a form of irony.

I'm not sure you understand the definition of "irony."

using intimidating tactics against would-be Nazi's is not ironic; it's virtually entirely justified based on basic human logic.

 

the only thing here that's ironic (although quickly becoming routine) is how you've once again found yourself on the side of defending Nazi's. bravo. encore.

 

The event with the car occurred after the violence came from antifa. If I need to say that people shouldn't run over peaceful protesters, sure count me in. Let's see if those on the far left wish to condone the violence coming from their side...been waiting for a while now.

what are you talking about?

I'm not even sure you understand the definition of "violence" at this point.

 

there's no universe in which being hit by some pepper spray is justification for running people down with your car. it really doesn't matter who started it or what side they're on.

 

It's nice to see an effective response, about time too!

 

Thanks PDT!

lol...

you're such a boot licking moron. POTUS stopped by for a handful of photo-ops with his wife in high heels, both of them sporting new hats that were for sale on his website, neither of them breaking a sweat, neither of them getting anywhere near the wind or water, and trying to feign sympathy like aliens from another planet.

 

our dumbass excuse for a president had the gall to stand up in front of an audience of hurricane survivors who were already waiting for assistance and tell them "WHAT A GREAT TURNOUT..." as if they had a f/cking home to go to or a happy hour to be at instead. as a man, as a human, Donald Trump is too stupid a person to comprehend proper tone. he has no empathy in his body.

 

but you see nothing wrong with this picture, as usual.

 

Edited September 11, 2017 by El Diablo

[Spaghetti Cat]

Diablo, good to see you. Are the nurses letting you use the computer lab, or have you escaped the padded cell again?

 

 

Not sure why you jump straight to that conclusion saggy. Completing a half-truth isn't some sort of equivocation. People shouldn't be spraying paper spray out the windows of cars at protesters. Period. Full stop.

The man who came up to the crowd in his truck was detained. I can't tell you why he was then released by the police, you'd have to ask them. What I can tell you is that several of the black-clad antifa members were arrested. This was totally left out of the link MTD was posting, and I'm guessing that was intentional.


Once again I hope that clears things up.

Uhh, well for the sake of clarity, the guy that was in the truck was arrested. The drive-by pepper-sprayers were not detained and the police let them drive off. Still curious about what happened to them after they reportedly crashed into a police cruiser though, the article doesn't state that. It seems like it's not very thorough.

 

However, I still think that pointing out that leftist extremists--and I'm hesitant to call them "antifa" because that's really lending more of a cohesive tone that can't be confirmed--were arrested does little to comment on the real meat of this story that the people who were pepper-spraying people out of the truck were let go by the police.

 

Why do you think that was? It's not about whether you think it's wrong or not.

 

 

To clarify your clarification the guy in the truck with all the flags wasn't arrested. He was detained then released, the article had to issue a correction. Separate from that was the truck that was paper-spraying protesters. They/he was stopped but not detained. The article doesn't go into any further detail, so I can't really comment on why that was.

 

I think that the implication (not from you just generally) was that the police, in a wink-wink nod-nod, let these people go because they were somehow sympathetic. The evidence doesn't support this claim. Police officers kept the two groups separate in both Portland and later in Vancouver. They were trying to keep the peace, they weren't in support of either group of protesters. Without knowing the specific laws of each of these states I can't tell you what they could have been arrested for. I'm not sure if running into a police cruiser is an arrest able offense, unless it was intentional. More like a civil fine.

 

Now, it should be said, I'm basing my comments on the articles. I wouldn't know a proud boy from a proud man. Having said that, if this group is involved in violence, count me out. That's probably the reaction from most normal Americans. Proud who?

 

On the flip side, agreed it may be a broad brush. I'm using the term antifa to describe the black-clad hooligans who pretty much use violence on every occasion I've seen. So if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck... If there is a more specific term to use, I'm all ears.

 

[Clem Fandango]

 

"After the man was arrested, a group called the "Proud Boys" drove down Columbia Ave and sprayed pepper spray out their windows at protesters in the street. The counter-protesters lobbed rocks at their truck.

Police stopped the Proud Boys, but did not detain them. Fifteen minutes later they drove away."

You are aware that Antifa uses pepper spray all the time right? Who are you to condemn anyone for using it, in self defence or attack?

 

does little to comment on the real meat of this story that the people who were pepper-spraying people out of the truck were let go by the police. Why do you think that was? It's not about whether you think it's wrong or not.

We can only speculate right? It seems they were under quite a lot of assault. This is what they say themselves: https://twitter.com/nwproudboys/status/907303907969294336

 

We can only speculate whether they used it in defence or offence

 

Jesus. Maybe they shouldn't have been driving past a protest in a truck heckling protesters? The fact that they had a f*cking truck full of pepper spray would suggest they planned on using it.

 

I mean what is the world coming to when you can't even drive around menacingly in a huge truck shouting abuse at crowds of people without getting wood blocks thrown at you? Then when you try and defend yourself by staying at the protest, winding down your windows and blasting people with pepper spray people say you're the bad guy! wtf!?

 

 

 

Antifa mace people unprovoked all the time.

Well, not really.

 

Except that's not the whole story. MTD may fool you but he's not fooling me. See there were arrests, just of the black-clad variety.

So? The fact that they arrested leftists while letting reactionaries ride around in a truck pepper spraying people strengthens his point.

 

 

 

I think that the implication (not from you just generally) was that the police, in a wink-wink nod-nod, let these people go because they were somehow sympathetic. The evidence doesn't support this claim.

The evidence immediately and unequivocally supports this claim.

[Tchuck]

 

The article doesn't go into any further detail, so I can't really comment on why that was.

 

It hasn't stopped you from jumping to judgement in other cases, though. Specially if they involve antifa or the left. Or when parroting insane conspiracy theories. Interesting how that works.

 

 

The evidence doesn't support this claim.

 

I mean, one side tried to ram his truck into a group of people, and had another truck with people pepper spraying others. The other side had people that threw rocks at cars. One of these groups was arrested and the other wasn't. This is not a terribly difficult logic jump to make, and lord knows you've jumped across grand canyonesque jumps before. But in this case, since it was antifa and black blocks and all the evil in the world on one side, it was warranted. Right.

 

 

I'm using the term antifa to describe the black-clad hooligans who pretty much use violence on every occasion I've seen.

 

And you're also coming to the defense of people who are literally trying to commit manslaughter with their vehicles in attacks similar to terror attacks. I'm not saying you're a white supremacy/nazi apologist, but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

[Spaghetti Cat]

English not your first language Tchuck?

 

If I need to say that people shouldn't run over peaceful protesters, sure count me in.

 

 

 

Violence to further political goals is unacceptable.

 

...

I don't support these proud boys any more than I do the antifa thugs. Please don't misunderstand pointing out the truth for support.

 

 

 

People shouldn't be spraying paper spray out the windows of cars at protesters. Period. Full stop.

 

 

 

Now, it should be said, I'm basing my comments on the articles. I wouldn't know a proud boy from a proud man. Having said that, if this group is involved in violence, count me out.

 

 

 

 

I've been pretty consistent on this matter. Wanna have another go at it? Ok. I denounce violence used in rallies, protests, etc. to promote political gains. Don't know how much clearer I can be on this. Care to do the same? Would be nice if it wasn't so one-sided for a change.

 

 

[Eutyphro]

Now, it should be said, I'm basing my comments on the articles. I wouldn't know a proud boy from a proud man. Having said that, if this group is involved in violence, count me out. That's probably the reaction from most normal Americans. Proud who?

The 'Proud Boys' are a group founded by Gavin McInnes, and can be described as 'alt-light'. The purpose of the group is Western chauvinism. Gavin is kind of a strange figure politically. He used to be a punk rocker, and he founded Vice media. He seems to have turned himself into a shock value comedian and pseudo conservative trolling the politically correct, and playing a male chauvinist for laughs. He's actually really funny sometimes. I like this vid he made about it:

 

 

 

The 'Proud Boys' seems to be a dubious fratty right wing activist group. How bad they are seems to have been a bit overblown by the media at times. But there is no way to be a professional protester and not be pathological in this age of political polarization. They are pretty lame and stupid, but they did stay away from the 'Unite the Right' Nazi fest on purpose, and thus try to distance themselves from the far right, racism and anti-semitism. But you can't be a right wing protester group without being associated with the far right, just like you can't be a pro Palestine activist without being associated with anti-semitism.

 

Well, not really.

Well, yeah really. Except if you think wearing a MAGA hat makes you deserving of pepper spray to the face, which you of course will ironically agree with, because you are just so damn rad.

 

The evidence immediately and unequivocally supports this claim.

How exactly? Isn't it legal to use pepper spray in self defence anyway? So it's very possible that what they did was legal, and that that was the reason the police let them off the hook. As opposed to assaulting the police by throwing dangerous objects at them, which is definitely illegal, which is what Antifa did, which is why they were arrested.

Edited September 12, 2017 by Eutyphro

[Saggy]

 

Now, it should be said, I'm basing my comments on the articles. I wouldn't know a proud boy from a proud man. Having said that, if this group is involved in violence, count me out. That's probably the reaction from most normal Americans. Proud who?

The 'Proud Boys' are a group founded by Gavin McInnes, and can be described as 'alt-light'. The purpose of the group is Western chauvinism. Gavin is kind of a strange figure politically. He used to be a punk rocker, and he founded Vice media. He seems to have turned himself into a shock value comedian and pseudo conservative trolling the politically correct, and playing a male chauvinist for laughs. He's actually really funny sometimes. I like this vid he made about it:

 

 

 

The 'Proud Boys' seems to be a dubious fratty right wing activist group. How bad they are seems to have been a bit overblown by the media at times. But there is no way to be a professional protester and not be pathological in this age of political polarization. They are pretty lame and stupid, but they did stay away from the 'Unite the Right' Nazi fest on purpose, and thus try to distance themselves from the far right, racism and anti-semitism. But you can't be a right wing protester group without being associated with the far right, just like you can't be a pro Palestine activist without being associated with anti-semitism.

 

Well, not really.

Well, yeah really. Except if you think wearing a MAGA hat makes you deserving of pepper spray to the face, which you of course will ironically agree with, because you are just so damn rad.

 

The evidence immediately and unequivocally supports this claim.

How exactly? Isn't it legal to use pepper spray in self defence anyway? So it's very possible that what they did was legal, and that that was the reason the police let them off the hook. As opposed to assaulting the police by throwing dangerous objects at them, which is definitely illegal, which is what Antifa did, which is why they were arrested.

 

 

Well, if wearing black masks can qualify a person as a "terrorist", then yeah, wearing a MAGA hat should be an equally broad qualifier of someone's agenda. Also that was more directed toward Spaghetti Cat since he was recently celebrating the DoJ's decision to declare antifa a terrorist group.

 

 

As far as the pepper spraying goes, unless someone comes forward to say they saw them spray someone unprovoked first, then it seems like it was a justified use. However one has to wonder why a group of counter-protesters just decided to single this particular truck out to throw rocks at (maybe they had their MAGA hats on). The term "unprovoked" should be used lightly both ways here.

Edited September 12, 2017 by Saggy