View Full Version : Scott Adams on Republicans and Democrats
Aloha_Shooter
02-07-2017, 09:27
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/156850873521/a-thought-experiment-about-republicans
Good article but I particularly like the scenario he sets up:
So let’s try this thought experiment.Let’s say there is a group of Trump-supporting racists – the violent kind that I have never met – that starts terrorizing an African-American neighbor of yours. And let’s say it turns into a violent confrontation between the racists and the victim family. The neighborhood hears some commotion and pours into the streets. The racists have weapons and they are about to kill the family that was just minding its own business. The police are on the way, but not in time. Violence is about to happen.
Suddenly a shot rings out. A bullet goes through the back of the scariest racist’s head and hollows out his skull. He drops like a rock. The other racists drop their weapons and flee.
Who fired the shot that saved the African-American family? Was it a Republican or a Democrat?
He comes to the same answer by a different means but my immediate thought was it had to be a Republican because the stereotypical Democrat doesn't have a gun or know how to use it ...
His (admittedly more legitimate) answer was that Republicans police their own more than Democrats -- which is why we DON'T see arson and looting as the aftermaths (or main events) of Republican rallies and demonstrations.
I really enjoy Scott Adams' blog- a well-reasoned read that brings sanity back around. :)
The racist isn't "our ranks" and never was.
I'm about damned tired of the presumption the KKK is a manifestation of "the Right." It's not. And again, never was. And I reject an argument that Conservatives are all closeted KKKers held in check by others who "police our own."
Show of hands... How many of you have seen a KKKer in the wild? How many of you have heard someone say "let's go burn down that black family's house!" I've been to rallies, gun shows, on multiple discussion boards, and I've never seen it/heard it/read it.
We don't see Republicans destroying things because Republicans are trying to maintain a thing they love. Democrats are beating people, burning things, and destroying because they are trying to destroy something they hate. It's a manifestation of values, and yes, it's just that simple. There isn't some hidden hand keeping Conservatives/Republicans in line.
Don't get me wrong, Conservatives may very well use violence. But it would be the last resort after all other measures have failed and it would have to be legitimized (self defense, declaration of war, etc).
Show of hands... How many of you have seen a KKKer in the wild? How many of you have heard someone say "let's go burn down that black family's house!" I've been to rallies, gun shows, on multiple discussion boards, and I've never seen it/heard it/read it.
While I didn't know it at the time (early jr. high years), one of my best friend's father was actually one of the (possibly main) KKK officials in the town I lived in. I spent a fair amount of time in their home, though I didn't interact with the father very much, because he worked a lot. Didn't strike me as odd, as my father worked a lot too.
While I never heard any outright threats of violence towards anyone, they did have a room in the basement which contained materials which could be combined in a fashion so as to be utilized for "stump and rock removal" at their cabin. That's what I was told, and at my age it was a perfectly viable response. Many people had mountain cabins. Were they also used for nefarious purposes? I have no idea, but don't remember news reports of bombings, suspicious or otherwise.
He (the father) was later arrested in an explosives selling sting. He was alleged to have ties to several tax protest and right-wing paramilitary groups (KKK, Posse Comitatus, among others).
So, after all that, I guess I not only know of one, but I actually knew one. As a side note, one of the older (high school aged) brothers went to a halloween kegger in what was described as a "unnervingly authentic looking" hooded white robe.
Lest we all forget history:
the KKK was left wing Democrats
Hitler was a left wing Socialist
Mao was a left wing Socialist
Pol Pot was a left wing Communist
The Republicans have never been racist.
Show of hands... How many of you have seen a KKKer in the wild? How many of you have heard someone say "let's go burn down that black family's house!" I've been to rallies, gun shows, on multiple discussion boards, and I've never seen it/heard it/read it.
One definite KKK met and one most likely white suprimist. I was working down in Elizabeth Colorado. They hired a new fellow...as I got to know him he started talking about his childhood...about being at some political rally at about 7 years old and handing out recruitment pamphlets for the KKK. Later I asked him if he was a white supremist, a skinhead, and a KKK...he was almost violent in his denial of the first 2...and would not answer about KKK...neither would he answer that he was nor deny being a KKK. It was about this same time I found out that Elizabeth Colorado is a huge center of racist activities. I spotted a church there with 3 crosses out back. Asked another local who said...oh...you saw that place...um yah...they burn those crosses monthly. It was then that I began to find out the town is like the white supremist capital of Colorado.
The likely white supremist I encountered working at the Colorado Railroad Museum. A young couple and their kid came in. They had tattoos all over them...I didn't look too closely. Then I noticed the kid (less than 5 years old)had a shirt with F*** You on it. I then started looking closer at the parents...iron crosses...swastikas...white power type stuff tattooed all over both of them. I said likely as I didn't ask...frankly didn't want to know.
Lest we all forget history:
the KKK was left wing Democrats
Hitler was a left wing Socialist
Mao was a left wing Socialist
Pol Pot was a left wing Communist
The Republicans have never been racist.
A good number of the mass shooters have been liberal.
Show of hands... How many of you have seen a KKKer in the wild? How many of you have heard someone say "let's go burn down that black family's house!" I've been to rallies, gun shows, on multiple discussion boards, and I've never seen it/heard it/read it.
When I was growing up in CA, one of the big wigs of the KKK (or one of its offshoots) lived 3 doors down from me. I heard more racial epithets and threats than I care to remember. He was also a registered Democrat (as are most of them - the Southern Poverty Law Center has proven then time and time again).
Ignorant fools who want to do harm to others because of their race/nationality/sexual orientation/etc do exist. We are currently fighting a war with people who believe similarly.
While I didn't know it at the time (early jr. high years), one of my best friend's father was actually one of the (possibly main) KKK officials in the town I lived in. I spent a fair amount of time in their home, though I didn't interact with the father very much, because he worked a lot. Didn't strike me as odd, as my father worked a lot too.
While I never heard any outright threats of violence towards anyone, they did have a room in the basement which contained materials which could be combined in a fashion so as to be utilized for "stump and rock removal" at their cabin. That's what I was told, and at my age it was a perfectly viable response. Many people had mountain cabins. Were they also used for nefarious purposes? I have no idea, but don't remember news reports of bombings, suspicious or otherwise.
He (the father) was later arrested in an explosives selling sting. He was alleged to have ties to several tax protest and right-wing paramilitary groups (KKK, Posse Comitatus, among others).
So, after all that, I guess I not only know of one, but I actually knew one. As a side note, one of the older (high school aged) brothers went to a halloween kegger in what was described as a "unnervingly authentic looking" hooded white robe.
What year was this?
Were there reports of black folks being hauled to the hills or gone missing during this time? Don't recall any such things in Colorado in my lifetime.
Conservatives don't lynch people.
Perhaps it was the accosted neighbor defending themselves?
Does it matter, Dem or Repub?
Zundfolge
02-07-2017, 13:00
Show of hands... How many of you have seen a KKKer in the wild?
KKK no, but over the years I have known more Skinheads than I'm comfortable with.
But none of them were Republicans (hell, they hated Reagan and Thatcher as much as the left did). They hated capitalism, they believed capitalism was a tool of the Jews to oppress whites. They also didn't much like the KKK because they saw the Klan as "Too Christian" (and Christianity is a Jewish plot to get whites to worship a Jew).
To a one, they were also all lazy, shiftless, sniveling cowards that blamed others for their problems (just like ghetto blacks do) and frankly wouldn't muster the energy to yell at a black person, let alone lynch them.
Circuits
02-07-2017, 13:03
I joined the communist party in the 80s, but just for the cookouts and the volleyball team. Maybe, in another life, if the KKK had a better sandpit squad?....
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. Taneytown and Westminster Maryland were both long term strongholds for the Klan. I have met Klansmen and witnessed a cross burning on a front lawn of a home in Hampden (a blue collar neighborhood in Baltimore). As to who are Klansmen, I would first ask what time period are we talking about and what part of the country? Historically the Klan has been made up of Democrats, but I would not go so far as to say they were leftist or progressive Democrats. There are very few actual Klansmen today and the appearance of a sheet/hood or actual Klan rally draws the media like ticks to a deer.
In my opinion, anyone who judges a person or group solely based on their race without specific evidence to support their judgment is a racist. Race is a social construct that I believe has very little actual meaning but is often used by people who are trying to exercise influence or gain power over others by emphasizing differences in people. Racial and ethnic purity are ridiculous notions and I look upon anyone who espouses beliefs in either concept of purity as being woefully ignorant of both biology and history.
To the point in the OP, the person who fired the shot: they will need to articulate that they reasonably believed that they were in fear of imminent bodily injury or death of their neighbor. Once that threshold is met, they will need to deal with the inevitable repercussions of civil justice and uncivil retribution.
Thanks for sharing. I like to focus on those things that make us Americans. Our Constitution, our history (good and bad), our vision of justice and how we can make all of these things work for the betterment of our fellow citizens and the world.
Be safe.
What year was this?
Were there reports of black folks being hauled to the hills or gone missing during this time? Don't recall any such things in Colorado in my lifetime.
Early 80's. Colorado. As I mentioned, I was a 13-14 year old kid. I didn't read the papers or follow the news diligently, so I don't know off the top of my head about local activity like you mention. I know there was dynamite and pipe-bomb material, and that's about it.
ETA: So as not to further derail this thread from the OP question/topic, I have sent Skip a link to a relevant news story concerning my response to him. Our side discussion seems to have been a distraction.
Carry on gentlemen.
The Klan was quite active where I grew up. Well into the 1980's. I had a relative who was a member. He was also a police officer. I have seen crosses burnt on the lawn of homes. I also remember one instance of a runaway bulldozer destroy the home of a colored family. There was even a big low income housing project going up that mysteriously burned to the ground. Twice.
I couldn't tell if they were democrats or republicans.
ChadAmberg
02-07-2017, 16:25
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. Taneytown and Westminster Maryland were both long term strongholds for the Klan. I have met Klansmen and witnessed a cross burning on a front lawn of a home in Hampden (a blue collar neighborhood in Baltimore). As to who are Klansmen, I would first ask what time period are we talking about and what part of the country? Historically the Klan has been made up of Democrats, but I would not go so far as to say they were leftist or progressive Democrats. There are very few actual Klansmen today and the appearance of a sheet/hood or actual Klan rally draws the media like ticks to a deer.
Rising Sun, Maryland was also a big Klan area. And by that I mean that there was a small group of sad pathetic folks blaming others for their own issues. Same thing, big Democrat area.
Bailey Guns
02-07-2017, 17:58
The racist isn't "our ranks" and never was.
I'm about damned tired of the presumption the KKK is a manifestation of "the Right." It's not. And again, never was. And I reject an argument that Conservatives are all closeted KKKers held in check by others who "police our own."
Show of hands... How many of you have seen a KKKer in the wild? How many of you have heard someone say "let's go burn down that black family's house!" I've been to rallies, gun shows, on multiple discussion boards, and I've never seen it/heard it/read it.
We don't see Republicans destroying things because Republicans are trying to maintain a thing they love. Democrats are beating people, burning things, and destroying because they are trying to destroy something they hate. It's a manifestation of values, and yes, it's just that simple. There isn't some hidden hand keeping Conservatives/Republicans in line.
Don't get me wrong, Conservatives may very well use violence. But it would be the last resort after all other measures have failed and it would have to be legitimized (self defense, declaration of war, etc).
I'm with you Skip on this. I'm really not a fan of Adams for the very reasons outlined by Skip...he's projecting leftist "values" and behavior - hate, intolerance, divisiveness, racism, etc - on to the right. He does it in a way that makes people think he's middle of the road, thought provoking, reasonable, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy it.
Conservatives are generally respectful of the property and rights and beliefs of others, even when they disagree. Admittedly, so are some on the left. The reason you don't see conservatives rioting is because they believe, and know, it's inherently wrong and it isn't the appropriate to not only behave, but to problem solve. To conservatives, the process, ie the rule of law, still means something. The left simply believes the end justifies the means.
I'm with you Skip on this. I'm really not a fan of Adams for the very reasons outlined by Skip...he's projecting leftist "values" and behavior - hate, intolerance, divisiveness, racism, etc - on to the right. He does it in a way that makes people think he's middle of the road, thought provoking, reasonable, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy it.
Not just you. Add me to the list.
Not just you. Add me to the list.
Me too.
I'm reading some people have had experiences but we don't know that they were tied to Republicans or Conservatives.
Very different from my upbringing in the 80s in Aurora, btw.
I don't doubt there are violent racists/KKKers. I reject the association to Conservatives and that's why I posted my reaction to Adams's piece. I think he could have used other examples but perhaps it's hard to find an example of Conservatives beating someone unconscious because of his political beliefs. Or shooting a cop in cold blood.
For example, I have yet to see the Conservative version of this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NGOluij2tk
Zundfolge
02-07-2017, 21:19
I'm with you Skip on this. I'm really not a fan of Adams for the very reasons outlined by Skip...he's projecting leftist "values" and behavior - hate, intolerance, divisiveness, racism, etc - on to the right. He does it in a way that makes people think he's middle of the road, thought provoking, reasonable, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy it.
Well he is a liberal/leftist/Democrat who is slowly allowing himself to be "red-pilled" so I cut him a little slack. He'll get there ;)
For example, I have yet to see the Conservative version of this...
[dear whyte people video]
And you won't ... because every aspect of her world view, every bit of what she thinks she knows about how the world works is straight up ignorant ... conservatives aren't stupid like this sad little BLM chick. She honestly believes that 1) whitey is holdin' her down (instead of her own poor choices) and 2) that "whyte people" (apparently white leftists) are about to be "oppressed" by Trump (when in truth if he's successful ALL Americans will be MORE FREE and LESS OPPRESSED and generally better off afterward).
There is no "conservative version" of her ... there is a "Whyte Version" of her though ... those dumbass skinheads I was talking about before.
I'd actually feel sorry for her if it wasn't for the condescending racism of her video.
I believe that Scott Adams probably chose that specific scenario because of who he is speaking to, which is not conservatives. It almost doesn't matter that "conservatives" don't fall into that narrative, because it is what many liberals (not all) believe. When trying to change someone's beliefs, one must sometimes start the conversation inside that fantasy land and lead the audience back to reality.
Or maybe that's all BS. I'm on the fence.
hurley842002
02-07-2017, 21:34
I believe that Scott Adams probably chose that specific scenario because of who he is speaking to, which is not conservatives. It almost doesn't matter that "conservatives" don't fall into that narrative, because it is what many liberals (not all) believe. When trying to change someone's beliefs, one must sometimes start the conversation inside that fantasy land and lead the audience back to reality.
Or maybe that's all BS. I'm on the fence.
This thought process had crossed my mind, especially after reading the article about Scott ending his generous donations to Berkeley after the nonsense that occurred over Milo. I could be completely off track however.
GilpinGuy
02-07-2017, 22:55
Jeez, there are racists on the left and right. There racist whites, blacks, asians, latinos, martians, etc. It certainly isn't political party specific.
Leftists just tend to act out more, like children on tantrums, making laughable videos, burning shit, smashing windows and spitting on cops.
^ Yep. The most overtly racist person I've known was a Japanese woman. She was most outspoken about her disdain for other non-Japanese Asians, but also often made disparaging remarks (today I guess they'd be called microaggressions) about Hispanics, blacks, and whites.
Maybe my experiences have been different from others here, but the racists I met growing up in MI (mix of KKK, skinheads and neo-nazis) were definitely on the conservative side of the political spectrum. And I knew at least 2 guys in the Army who were adamant Christians that said it was God's will that white men should always be in charge of this country. I have to imagine both of them had aneurysms when Obama was elected.
This thought process had crossed my mind, especially after reading the article about Scott ending his generous donations to Berkeley after the nonsense that occurred over Milo. I could be completely off track however.
I can see that 0thought process but I still question his goalpost placement. It wasn't "a Conservative said something racist/nasty and was shouted down by other Conservatives." It was extreme and seemed casual, as if this would be an everyday occurrence without the hidden hand.
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