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| Election campaign on Sistertrek; ... why? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 30 2008, 07:09 PM (543 Views) | |
| STC | Oct 30 2008, 07:09 PM Post #1 |
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Commodore
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From an outsiders point of view (me!), this forum has not recently been about intellectual discussion. IMO, it has been about an election campaign, by fair means or foul. My questions are: 1.To what extent are posters who have been posting here recently do so with the intent to influence the U.S. Presidential Election 2008? 2.Do posters who are campaigning expect to have enough influence on others to change the way they will vote? 3.Has what has been said on this forum made any difference to the way people will vote? 4.Given your answers to 1, 2, and 3, has this been appropriate posting behaviour for the purpose for which Sistertrek was created, and exists? Please discuss. ![]() |
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| 8247 | Oct 30 2008, 07:26 PM Post #2 |
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Apparently we look like this now
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^^ The original posters here came from Startrek.com, where there were alot of political discussions. When this board started, it kind of continued. |
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| Dwayne | Oct 30 2008, 08:03 PM Post #3 |
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Profanity deleted by Hoss
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Since you're actually talking about me more than anyone, let me go ahead and answer these. 1. When you debate a person, it is an attempt influence that person. Based on that, it goes without saying that any debate about the election in the United States, is an attempt a some level of influence. 2. Singularly, no, but when you debate with people you can present your own side with argument the whole never considered. As well, you could present those who oppose your side with the same thing. 3. Hard to say, but should it matter? 4. This is a "Politics and World Events" section of this forum, and is a perfect place for these types of discussions. |
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| STC | Oct 30 2008, 08:18 PM Post #4 |
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Commodore
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Hi, lets get something clear. My post was an open question to all who have participated. That's all. |
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| Dwayne | Oct 30 2008, 08:22 PM Post #5 |
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Profanity deleted by Hoss
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Yes, it is clear you were directing it to everyone, but it is also clear that when you say "posters who have been posting here recently do so with the intent to influence the U.S. Presidential Election 2008" you have a person(s) in mind.
Edited by Dwayne, Oct 30 2008, 08:24 PM.
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| Franko | Oct 30 2008, 08:57 PM Post #6 |
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Shower Moderator
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I think this is more a forum of expression, and yes, debate, rather than electioneering. I doubt that Dwayne is really trying to influence other American members to vote for his candidate, although admittedly, most of his threads are not about the glories of McCain (in fact McCain is seldom mentioned around here) but the perceived threat of Obama. It's doubtful that he is going to turn the other "American liberals here" to his point of view, nor is that likely his expectation. A lot of debate with Dwayne has been conducted by foreign members anyway, who cannot vote in the upcoming US election. Hey, if a member is not spamming but does come in and start a lot of threads that lead to discussion, there's nothing wrong with that. "SisterTrek" is what we all as members make of it. There's nothing preventing other members from starting threads pursuing their own political interests, or geo-political concerns. But at the moment, the upcoming US election is the biggest fish on the table; even as a Canadian I'm already on pins and needles waiting for Tuesday. I already knew the outcome of the Canadian election, (pretty well everybody did, a ho hum affair) but I have to admit that this is a pivotal moment (at least to me, let alone actual Americans) in modern history. Different views about it, certainly. But as they say, the "show must go on". |
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| Dwayne | Oct 30 2008, 09:39 PM Post #7 |
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Profanity deleted by Hoss
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Robert Heinlein stated it better...
I'm choosing to vote against someone. Edited by Dwayne, Oct 30 2008, 11:56 PM.
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| Sgt. Jaggs | Oct 30 2008, 09:56 PM Post #8 |
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How about a Voyager Movie
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Yes. Value it for what it is worth as a discussion. I enjoy it.It is likely impossible anyone here is swayed by anyone elses agenda since we all know each others points of view pretty well. I voted early today since I will be working in Houston on Tuesday. I don't like our two party system. Loosertarians (Libertarian party as Medved calls them) don't have a chance. Veep Wayne A. Root? Isn't that the vegas guy? Anyway.I don't like our two party system. I do not like being told I have to vote for McCain. " But Jag you have to, Obama is so bad you should be so afraid, he has an Aunt who lives in a slum in Boston and a brother who lives in a Hut in Africa. This makes Barack a Hippocrite in the Rick Warren Debate response he gave." This shit is the best Hannity and Rush had for me today. Why? They disagree and hate McCain too but they can't say what a meatball like me can. First off IDIOTS his brother IS in fact an African. Deal with it. Whats the guy supposed to do put every relative that can be found into a mansion? Dude's Dad CHOSE to go back to Africa, reality check....wait for it..... HE WAS AN AFRICAN TOO!!!!!!! Back to the vote, I felt during the primaries that Florida Democrats whose delegates would not be seated and could note vote because Howard Dean punished them and Michigan for moving up their Primaries, would vote for the LEAST hated Republican. I was correct, McCain wins Florida and Mitt drops out two weaks later. Conservatives heads were in their respectively disagreeable ASSES picking over Romney, McCain, Huckabee, Guiliany, Thompson and some Neo border studs even went for Duncan Hunter. So we get this POOCH. A nearly 75 year old Vietnam era hero who came home and practiced infidelity more than once with more than one commitment and he chooses to answer that with "That was a long time ago and I do not want to talk about that." Screw that John. You gave me no pivot point, no "I was wrong about that, it must have devastated my Wife who stuck by my side while I was in captivity." Families are important to me. Conservative values are important to me. I grew out of blind ignorance in voting Democrat as a youngster and was ready to embrace a conservative Republican. I would vote for Gulianni, for Romney even for Huckabee but not McCain. I Love Sarah Palin on substance but on the surface I am suspicious. First off I can't vote for her for Pres, she would only be VEEP. Again I would be voting for McCain. I agonize over principles and I can't get over this: I disagree with McCain on immigration. He sold out the Republicans. I disagree with McCain on Campaign Finance reform. I am ashamed of him as a moral man with his wife on more than one occasion with infidelity. He basically told me that was none of my business. Really John? I do not applaude his Assinine Maverick Joys he so happily slings around. Lets add 'Maverick' in there as Benedict Arnold's middle name for all of history to remember. John McCain does not deserve my vote. John McCain is not a conservatve. He is not even a Republican. He can only be counted on for one thing. Sticking his middle finger in the face of his party. I voted straight Republican ticket all the way through except the top. I hope my vote today for Obama will put the apple in that pigs mouth for the roast. I respect John McCains service but I disagree with him and I do not like being told I have no other choice. If McCain gets elected I am ok with it but on principle i Could Not give him my vote. I am a meatball and I approve this post |
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| somerled | Oct 30 2008, 10:48 PM Post #9 |
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Admiral MacDonald RN
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I personally think that the behaviour of some here , ie frequent rapid serial initiations of threads all related to one general topic is out right electioneering , propogandising and spam. It also has the effect of driving other people's topics which may be on topics that are diametrically opposite in political content or simply topics the spammer doesn't want to see discussed from the front page and into the background. I suggest that this it is not desireable for one person's agenda or politics to be allowed to dominate any forum here and this behaviour has the effect of driving people away who might like a more balanced or even a balanced robust discussion of important topics and ideas and events here , if fact I see this behaviour as being part of such an agenda to force , in this case , people who are more left leaning out of the forum . Personally , I'll be mighty pleased when the 2008 Presidential Election is done and gone , and this place can then return to some semblance of normality. I suggest Sistertrek consider establishing a special Election Campaigning Forum so this kind of crap can go somewhere else and not be permitted to dominate this Forum in future. My general answers for STC : Not campaigning for anyone , but I would prefer the Republicans to be dumped and I do not like McCain or that Alaskan hick and wouldn't trust either of them as far as I kick them - I doubt anyone who;s a foreigner here will have much influence. See 1.
Doubt it. I do not think so - I have been here for a long time and came from the other place on an personal invitation , and I have seen this happen 3 times so far , and the behaviour and strategies have been very similar each time - see my comments above . Edited by somerled, Oct 31 2008, 01:12 AM.
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| STC | Oct 30 2008, 10:49 PM Post #10 |
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Commodore
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My own answers are. 1. While personally I lean towards Obama, I've not posted much and certainly not with an intent to shift people towards the Democrats, other than perhaps some broad agreement with some policy stances (which btw are still right-wing relative to my own), but then that is posting on the issues. Though I've done little on this anyway. 2. Unlikely. 3. Doubt it very much. 4. In my own case, as I'm answering 1-3 with regard to myself - yes. |
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| Dwayne | Oct 30 2008, 11:38 PM Post #11 |
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Profanity deleted by Hoss
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My hat is off to you... you've voted for divided government, which is the best government. Do you believe others in your state did the same as you? Edited by Dwayne, Oct 30 2008, 11:58 PM.
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| Minuet | Oct 30 2008, 11:51 PM Post #12 |
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Fleet Admiral Assistant wRench, Chief Supper Officer
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Be careful what you wish for. |
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| whitestar | Oct 31 2008, 08:11 AM Post #13 |
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Captain
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I've just answered a similar question in the Q/S forum so forgive me for this copy and paste attempt at a post I lean towards the spam opinion but I did already ask Dwayne this very question... his answer convinced me he was expressing himself rather than campaining. In hindsight maybe one thread with the subject of Obama and another with McCain and all relevent posts placed in that thread would have avoided the appearance of spam |
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| RTW | Oct 31 2008, 09:54 AM Post #14 |
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Vice Admiral
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Medved His historical perspectives on politics are fascinating! Yes, because his brother is African he should, in fact, live in a hut on the equivalent $12 a year. It is is destiny. His place in life. Dude's dad was African, 12.5% African, but what's that have to do with his son living in poverty now? What about the Aunt? Interesting. Agreed ... (well, except for the "pooch" comment). Sounds exactly the opposite of the left's love for Obama. Is Palin the anti-Obama? And if Obama is ... "The Messiah" ... then would that make Palin the "Anti-Christ"? Somehow I knew it would be a woman. Good stuff. Look at it this way: If four years of Jimmy Carter "gave" us Ronald Reagan, just imagine what four years of an inexperienced and much more liberal "Jimmy Carter" will give us!!! |
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| Franko | Oct 31 2008, 08:24 PM Post #15 |
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Shower Moderator
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I'll take an inexperienced Obama over a "seasoned" Carter anyday. I was around back in those days, it was in fact the pathetic presidency of Carter that got me interested in politics again and of course the necessity of needing Ronald Reagan to lift the morale of America, which he did. Obama is no Carter. Carter was an idiot. Choc full of worn out antiquated attitudes, a bit of a southern racist; (I know that might hurt some) and easily intimidated. Intimidated by two bit punks in Iran, reckless decision making about using US military power (the botched hostage rescue) poor at dealing with the USSR, (publicly stating he might not retaliate to a first strike) heck, even Canada didn't think a whole lot of him. Obama is with it, articulate, intelligent, has ideas, isn't afraid to adapt, and certainly, despite the rhetoric flying around here, is no "black panther socialist/radical". You can believe what you want, you can subscribe to the "fear" campaign of the bankrupt, and I mean bankrupt McCain/Palin ticket, or you can wallow in the fear-mongering against a candidate who has not convinced me that he plans to "radicalize" America. One by one, many conservatives, republicans, guys like Colin Powell, have been leaving the sinking ship. The Republican party is in tatters. Insiders are even admitting to the media that this campaign has created an awful strain within the GOP. Watching McCain and Palin interviewed the other day, well, it was just pathetic. Palin has no grasp of what's going on. McCain must have given her a worried look about every two minutes. You could tell that he was reminding himself that he should have chosen Romney. But this has never been about McCain. Maybe back in 2000 he would have still been in his prime, and made an excellent president. But in the debates, his speeches, his constant grinding of rhetoric, is just such a turn-off. This whole campaign has been about smearing and criticizing Obama, with very little substance as to what McCain plans to do. And as far as grooming Palin for 2012, I don't think so. But hey, blame it all on the media. Blame it all on Obama's cult of personality. Blame whatever you want. Simply put, this is how the flow of history and of politics works. Obama emerged at just the right time, eclipsed the coronation of Hillary, has conducted a tour de force campaign, and if he wins on Tuesday it's due to an excellently managed campaign and a message and personality that attracts a lot of people, even from the right. Almost all of my conservative friends up here in Canada are rooting for Obama. This will be the first time in my adult life that I have ever supported a Canadian or US candidate who wasn't either a Tory or a Republican. There's a reason for all this. You can blame all of the problems of the last 8 years on liberals, socialist policies of which Bush was "helpless" to repel (what crap) or the left wing media. To be honest, I don't even care. McCain isn't up to it. Just because he supposedly represents Republican values is not enough. I don't even think he has the health or the energy to serve the full four years with enthusiasm and "clear thinking". Yes, many who are centrist and conservatives, are willing to roll the dice with Obama. If you're right, then the people can dismiss him in four years. But you heard it here first. If elected on Tuesday, he will do eight. Simply put, he can unify the US and restore confidence in the nation. He's the black Reagan. My message to Obama if elected on Tuesday is: "You've talked the talk, man. Now the orchestra is engaged. Now let us see you perform". It's that simple. I think he can. This is my final commentary on the election until the end of Tuesday. |
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Yes. Value it for what it is worth as a discussion. I enjoy it.
Isn't that the vegas guy? Anyway.

2:12 PM Jul 11