I keep hearing the negativity around where this country is going and how it's going to be the next to collapse. While I think many of us, regardless of your political alignment on the spectrum, would agree that things haven't been great the past 15-20 years as we move towards a more bifurcated and politicized environment, perhaps the past would signal that this isn't the first time our country is at the proverbial Crossroads.
There were many divisive moments throughout our history. If we ignore the first 20 years for new country's sake, the 1810s through 1830s were quite tumultuous. Some of that persisted until the Civil War and I would entertain arguments about the disconnectedness between rural and coastal America, but I don't believe the modern analogy to be as traumatic.
Perhaps the best recent example was the 1960s upheaval. I just listened to Dan Carlin's overview in "So, you say you want a Revolution?" which goes into significant detail about the chaos that was the 1960s. In many ways, there are some similarities (attempted or actual assassinations of political or quasi-political figures - Trump, Kirk, Hortman) that mirrored the aggression and anger sides experienced in the 60s (both Kennedys, MLK, Malcom X, etc.). Here is the podcast for anyone who wants to listen:
It took more than a decade to recover or normalize, but America did it. I know many are not overly optimistic, but I see no reason why it cannot be done again. Here's to optimism and long live America!
@jdb Mamdani and the progressives and Trump and his isolationist/protectionist posture puts us at an inflection point and shines a black light on differences that I don’t recall in my lifetime. I think half the country has a very, very different view of what they want in a country than the other half. I fear we have peaked as a country
At least Messi got his WC and IU a natty.
I know there has been some discussion in Euro nations of boycotting the World Cup over Trump. Probably not gonna happen, given that they are addicted to that flopping sport, but it would have sent a powerful message of world unity against fascism and Trump-Putin.
"You can't make someone listen to reason if they aren't willing to think"-- Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
@shooter LMAO I love how literally the dumbest person on the board weighs in on topics he knows nothing about. Nobody gets it wrong as much as Shooter. Boycott bwahahahahahaha. There's nothing more corrupt than international soccer. Fifa literally began with corruption. It makes Trump look like Mother Theresa
@jdb Mamdani and the progressives and Trump and his isolationist/protectionist posture puts us at an inflection point and shines a black light on differences that I don’t recall in my lifetime. I think half the country has a very, very different view of what they want in a country than the other half. I fear we have peaked as a country
At least Messi got his WC and IU a natty.
were you alive in the 60s? I didn’t think so. @
@jdb I don’t think the division was as foundational. Race rights. Women’s rights. The Civil Rights Act and all the protection laws that ensued. I don’t think any of that compares to socialism. To Billionaires. Wealth inequality.
We fight about trannies and CRT in schools and all that but imo that’s privilege fighting and in keeping with counterculture stuff.
What we are seeing with proposed control of private wealth, equity issues, is much bigger in my view. Much harder to say what is or isn’t right.
@jdb I don’t think the division was as foundational. Race rights. Women’s rights. The Civil Rights Act and all the protection laws that ensued. I don’t think any of that compares to socialism. To Billionaires. Wealth inequality.
We fight about trannies and CRT in schools and all that but imo that’s privilege fighting and in keeping with counterculture stuff.
What we are seeing with proposed control of private wealth, equity issues, is much bigger in my view. Much harder to say what is or isn’t right.
vietnam war was quite an important piece and you had draft dodgers like Trump vs poor kids that didn’t know what else to do.
@jdb For sure. And Monday QBing makes issues like discrimination seem like common sense when people thought differently then but what I see dividing today is so foundational and so polar that again I don’t see much out there by way of “recent” comparison.
The divisions now seem different. Historical divisions were about policy issues and ideas. Those tend to go away through compromise and changing attitudes. Now divisions are about demographics, men, women; black, white, brown; young, old; and more. Seems like those who see divisions as advantageous will turn it into a demographic contest. Hard to move away from that.
@jdb This is a great topic and I have some definite ideas, but the constant personal attacks between Shooter and Mrs. Doubtfire are a real disincentive to participation. It seems they derail every thread. Is there any mechanism for reporting that kind of behavior and what, if anything, might be the result?
@big-ryan I encourage you to compare my responses in the thread and who comes along in bad faith.
@jdb This is a great topic and I have some definite ideas, but the constant personal attacks between Shooter and Mrs. Doubtfire are a real disincentive to participation. It seems they derail every thread. Is there any mechanism for reporting that kind of behavior and what, if anything, might be the result?
There's a Report button on every post. Sammy pays attention.
The next 2 or 3 elections are extremely important in my opinion. If the GOP does well then we will be fine. If Democrats win and they recommit to more sane policies on the border and economy we should be fine. If Democrats win and go back to open borders, we're screwed and there will be a Balkanization of the U.S. between Red states and Blue states.
I keep hearing the negativity around where this country is going and how it's going to be the next to collapse. While I think many of us, regardless of your political alignment on the spectrum, would agree that things haven't been great the past 15-20 years as we move towards a more bifurcated and politicized environment, perhaps the past would signal that this isn't the first time our country is at the proverbial Crossroads.
There were many divisive moments throughout our history. If we ignore the first 20 years for new country's sake, the 1810s through 1830s were quite tumultuous. Some of that persisted until the Civil War and I would entertain arguments about the disconnectedness between rural and coastal America, but I don't believe the modern analogy to be as traumatic.
Perhaps the best recent example was the 1960s upheaval. I just listened to Dan Carlin's overview in "So, you say you want a Revolution?" which goes into significant detail about the chaos that was the 1960s. In many ways, there are some similarities (attempted or actual assassinations of political or quasi-political figures - Trump, Kirk, Hortman) that mirrored the aggression and anger sides experienced in the 60s (both Kennedys, MLK, Malcom X, etc.). Here is the podcast for anyone who wants to listen:
It took more than a decade to recover or normalize, but America did it. I know many are not overly optimistic, but I see no reason why it cannot be done again. Here's to optimism and long live America!
The difference today is the concerted effort by the left to remake the electorate not from within the country, but by bringing in new voters from outside. This will take decades to undo, if ever.
@shooter LMAO I love how literally the dumbest person on the board weighs in on topics he knows nothing about. Nobody gets it wrong as much as Shooter. Boycott bwahahahahahaha. There's nothing more corrupt than international soccer. Fifa literally began with corruption. It makes Trump look like Mother Theresa
I am still waiting for the first time mcsharon gets something right. Don't worry, not holding my breath
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