Politics anyone?

[Wendy!]

I'm not sure, but I thought I remembered there being some ban on talking about politics on this board. Is that true? If it is I guess (?) I would understand, but I think we would all benefit from a little information especially given that we're improvisers.

I just wanted to rant a little on the state of world, it's pretty scary. Let me know if I'm not allowed to do that!

Hope everyone's having a good Monday!

[TommyP]

This is a Brand New Board with a Brand New Attitude. Who's to say we can't talk politics with respect toward one another. I'm sure your rant will be of the highest standard of decorum and respect for others' opinions. So, to answer your question, I don't see why not.

[Wendy!]

Nevermind, with 83 views and only 1 reply, it seems like no one here is interested to hear my rant on the world. I'll save it for my work on stage.

Thanks TommyP!

[TommyP]

We're all waiting for the rant before we reply.

Rant on...

[Hawkins]

I think politics makes an improv board testy on non-improv subjects

of course being one of a handful of conservative/GOP types doesn't help my case.

I say go to a political board, but again, this ain't my baby.

[Juan]

having the politico forum was the downfall to the other CiN incarnation forum board but hey whatever!!

[Telfer]

I'm not a master of psychology, but I've been watching improvisers try and talk about this on message boards for almost 10 years now. From my perspective, the reason it's so hard to talk politics here is because we're comedians. We want to be funny, we want to bring levity. So when discussing politics we often try on satire, heightening, and other stuff to try to be funny. But if a subject is dear to you, it's often rarely funny. It comes across as seething, hateful sarcasm.

I think politics in the last 6 years or so have become extra heated- with things like war and other civil-rights related stuff making things hit way closer to home. Some people crave levity, some people can only take the serious issue seriously, because it is personal to them.

And here they all are, comedians who want to make light of political issues and comedians who suffer from political issues all in the same room, with various stakes in a variety of issues. One lame joke (or joke meant to push someone's button) makes the whole board nauseous.

That said, I don't give a shit and I don't think most of the other admins do either. Personally I care a lot about politics, but posting about them on improv boards kind of wipes me out. Like Hawkins said, there really are a lot of political boards/sites out there and I don't think it's a huge necessity/big deal. We'll probably set up a separate forum when the people who know how to do it have some free time. There are no plans to lock or delete political posts. Go ahead until there's a separate forum.

[davec]

Wendy, I want to hear your rant. TommyP, I am awaiting calling you names.

[TommyP]

TommyP, I am awaiting calling you names.

Good times. Good times....

[davec]

Good times. Good times....

I couldn't disagree more. Good times? How about we be honest and admit that it's TERRIBLE times! You are a giant butthole.

[kenziecondon]

Oh good God.

[Wendy!]

Well, I've had time to forgive this person for being a completely ignorant and fairly dense excuse for a human being, but what got me spinning was that she made this statement, "Mark my words, President Bush will go down as one of the greatest presidents in history" Ummmm.....WHAT?! That was my first reaction, before I was shushed by someone else in the room who told me not to bother, there was no point in arguing. So, I bit my tongue. She didn't stop there though, oh no..."I mean the terrorists, they really want to kill us. If our country doesn't turn Muslim they will kill us. They don't want us to be christian, they're going to come over here and if we don't do what they say, they're going to get rid of us."

There are too many facets of that conversation that make me really angry.
1. The way this lady thinks
2. She's not alone.
3. That I was told not to bother, when I wanted to explain to her that she is extremely deluded
4. Where the F does she get this information

So, I go through all of these stages of anger in my mind, keep my thoughts to myself and proceed to read the day's headlines: The US death toll is over 4,000 (which is of course nothing compared to the Iraqi death toll). Iran's making nuclear weapons. We've just sent more 1,000 more troops to Iraq.

The reason I didn't write the entire rant yesterday was because I'm not sure what I'm specifically angry about. But then I realized today that I can be angry at all of it.
I can be angry at that lady who doesn't know any better along with her entire Christian Coalition group or whatever the fuck. I mean they get together for cookies, brownies, and the discussion that what Iraq is trying to do is make us into Muslims. They discuss how homosexuality is something that can be cured. Who knows, "maybe those Iraqis they're all trying to turn us into homosexual muslims!"

I can be angry with the fact that I let someone tell me it wasn't worth it to enlighten this woman. I shouldn't let anyone tell me when not to speak. Maybe this time I would've said something that would've at least made her think....or maybe not, either way I feel like I should've said something, or made the decision on my own. I feel like to many times in our lives we've been told that what we do doesn't matter. That our positions don't matter, that we don't have the power to change things. Well, I'm tired of feeling that way. I'm tired of feeling like I'm running in a hamster wheel. I'm not going to beat people over the head with my political opinions but I'm also not going to let you beat me with yours.
If I feel like talking political in my show or making some social commentary drawn from my experiences then I will, because this is the career that I've chosen and I feel like this is the platform I have for which to express my opinions. I won't let anyone tell me that my efforts are futile. I'll go down defending what I think is right, that is America.
Unfortunately, it's America for that ignorant woman too.

So there you have it...
Thanks for letting me have at it!

[EdO]

I believe the term is "Homuslims".

[TommyP]

I couldn't disagree more. Good times? How about we be honest and admit that it's TERRIBLE times! You are a giant butthole.


Oh, I don't know. How 'bout that one time I made a brilliant statement and you crapped your shorts because you had no intelligent response other than to ask me what comedy show I'm appearing in and then we all gave Biddle a group wedgie.

Fond memories, all.

P.S. My dad's butthole can beat up your dad's butthole with one butthole tied behind his butthole.

[Scol]

Wendy, when I lived in a far more conservative town than this, I spent many fruitless man hours (which sounds like a brand-name for infertility) arguing with people.

It helps to have a frame in which to organize your philosphies, and to help better understand those with opposing views. I very highly recommend a book by George Lakoff called Don't Think Of An Elephant. It's a short book and a very fast read. He breaks down the fundamental differences between the views of progressives and conservatives beautifully.

If you agree with his assesment, I think it will help to make you less frustrated, or at least, more fruitful in your arguing man hours. Or woman hours. Or Homuslim hours. Or nappy-headed ho...never mind.

[Wendy!]

Thank you Scol!!

I'm definitely purchasing that book. And you're right, my philosophy is somewhat scattered, or not focused on what I really want to say or how to express myself politically.

And it's true, I get spoiled in the city. It's tough to swallow the narrow-mindedness when it's in your face because I'm surrounded (especially in this community) by like-minded individuals.

Thanks again for the book suggestion!

[Hawkins]

I couldn't disagree more. Good times? How about we be honest and admit that it's TERRIBLE times! You are a giant butthole. low unemployment and an economy that's grown pretty well considering there was an attempt to destroy it 5 and a half years ago?

my stock portfolio says different

perfect, not by any means. But terrible, no way

[TommyP]

low unemployment and an economy that's grown pretty well considering there was an attempt to destroy it 5 and a half years ago?

my stock portfolio says different

perfect, not by any means. But terrible, no way

Umm...to be fair to Colan, he's talking about our debates on the other board(s).

Also, you're a butthole. And when I say "butthole," I mean "Colan."

[davec]

My uncle is the nicest guy in the world and also the world's biggest republichristian. The other day I was visiting this guy, who has never said a violent word in his life. He was wearing a National Guard T-Shirt, and my grandfather asked if he was in the National Guard. My uncle is 55 years old so he said, "No, I just got this shirt at an event. I'd love to join, but I don't think they're taking old timers like me who have no valuable skills to offer."

Then he turned to me and said quietly, but SERIOUSLY,

"...Except for an overwhelming urge to kill Muslims."

Wendy, I think the problem with your adversary is this: 50 years ago a ton of people didn't think that black people and white people should interact. There were a ton of nasty, brutish racists in this country. Being gay was a criminal act. We've moved past that time, but as a culture, we act like everything was fixed and those people don't exist anymore.

But seriously, you think those people and their kids just gave it up because of a law? There's still a ton of nasty, brutish racists in this country who dislike foreigners, minorities, and homosexuals. With Bush's approval ratings in the high 20's / low 30's, I'd bet that a strong minority of his true believers also would like their own section on the bus again.

And those people are fine with the US kicking the crap out of a foreign population. It wouldn't matter if it were justified or not, if it were logical or not. They just fear and hate Arabs.

So I think when people say, "Don't say anything, it's not worth it," it's because it's socially awkward to unleash the beast that lies inside that lady. No one wants to believe that this nice person they're hanging out with is an awful person.

[Wendy!]

You hit that one on the mark Dave, I completely agree.

It's just that sometimes I just don't care, I want people to see that beast so that everyone knows, we still have a lot of work to do. I mean I know those people aren't going to go away, but they should also know that those of us who are socially aware are not going to tolerate their stupidity.

Let's change the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kenziecondon]

So I think when people say, "Don't say anything, it's not worth it," it's because it's socially awkward to unleash the beast that lies inside that lady. No one wants to believe that this nice person they're hanging out with is an awful person.

Or because it is such a charged subject (often times discussed by individuals on every side who just don't QUITE know the intricacies of the topic enough to express themselves in the way that they wish to) that it frequently turns into a screaming angry brawl.

..and thus, fruitless and divisive.

[davec]

that it frequently turns into a screaming angry brawl.

..and thus, fruitless and divisive.

Why are screaming angry brawls fruitless and divisive? Meaningful social change hasn't often come from reasoned people making polite conversation.

The ignorant and brutal will often resort to force or intimidation to maintain their power or to hold on to their point of view.

But I agree with your other point. You should really know what you believe and why.