Random Politics & Religion #00

No. Absolutely not.

But that's really not the point.

Violence and destruction of the people you want to change their ways isn't going to work short of a complete civil war situation. And I don't think anyone (rational) wants that.

At this level, all this destruction and theft causes is resentment and division, causing those who may have been on the fence to look negatively upon you.

I, for one, have no problem believing that the police were wrong in the first place and roughed up a guy too much. (Not that he was without guilt in going into police custody in the first place, but that doesn't make his mistreatment okay.)

And I realize that the actions of the protesters and even, to an extent, some of those rioting are based on good intentions and wanting to change the system.

But all you're doing is causing the system to look inward, reflect on itself and -- because you've now cut yourself out of the process entirely by making yourself the enemy -- the only thing reflecting back on the system are those already in it, who now feel justified in what happened because "well, look! They're rioting!"

You have to understand I'm not endorsing any of this as the way it should be, but you can't make a change for non-violence by getting violent and destructive, especially of properties and people that aren't even of the government.

Since the Scots were systematically oppressed for far greater than 200 years, does that mean I get to wear a kilt when I riot?

<~1/32 Scottish by blood.

i'm part native american. majority of people living in america oppressed my ancestors by living on land that was taken from us.

would that argument work?

Even when evidence is presented that shows that the injury was self inflicted?

If you've got a drop of Irish blood in you, you've probably got a bone to pick with Olver ***' Cromwell and England.

That said, I advise you not to go try to raid Buckingham Palace.

Unless you're dressed as Batman, then it might work out, at least for a little while.

Sure, you wear moccasins, I'll wear a kilt when we riot.

Want to riot in Austin or San Antonio? I know of a good Wing Stop we can riot some chicken wings!

Yeah, man. Let's march down to the nearest small business and annex their land. It's only fair.

I'm making no absolute statements here. I also have no problem believing a criminal may have tried to exacerbate his own situation in order to see some sort of later benefit and accidentally injured himself taking it too far. I'm just saying that some officers -- not all, not even a majority, but some -- have histories of being far to rough on the wrong people. Or all of the people. Power goes to some people's heads. So I can see either scenario.

And neither calls for rioting, looting, destruction, and violence as a response.

I stand corrected.

Free chicken wings might be a good reason to riot.

Or, at least, to loot while others are rioting.

Fair enough.

Ramyrez begets more Ramyrez.

I'm not normally a wing person, but I can appreciate looting a place for fantastic root beer and wings.

Ok, so we have somebody who's wearing a pair of moccasins to riot a Wing Stop, myself wearing a kilt, anyone else feel like annexing some chicken wings tonight? Preferably watching the Spurs beat the Clippers.

No, in fact. He does not.

I'll also be kilted.

Do you actually own kilts?

If so we just found some more common ground we can use to stave off the parts we disagree about!

Wait, ***. Does this mean rioting did do something constructive?

8&)(*@^#$)&^(&*@^(&*#^!.

all that is pretty easy to say from our air-conditioning, ergonomically designed office chairs, with full bellies, coffee, & our biggest problem is ramy is wrong & dumb on the internet.

around here I can drive 2 hours and be in damn near a third world country. I'd be a little pissed off too.


rationality is a luxury some people can't afford.

If you want to break it down...

my bloodline is English, Irish, Scottish, French, like... 18 different Native American tribes, Metis (which is originally Native + French mix, but has been expanded to include native + European blood, but has systematically been oppressed by pure native blood members, and pure European blood), and some German blood.

My ancestors oppressed my ancestors.

NYC riots are getting aggressive.

I see your point, but...what else is there? Chaos? As if that solves any of their problems? No. It only exacerbates.

*also, fixed it. C'mon man. Keep it up and you're not getting on my tab.

Rationality doesn't exist on the internet.

oh, I forgot Welsh in my bloodline, since they seem to differentiate themselves from the English.

Welcome to being a continental American.

I'm German, Swedish, Irish, English, French and like..."eastern European" (it was a very tumultuous time when my ancestors left the area).

So my ancestors all were fighting at some point and said "*** this...let's ***!"

1100 years later, Rammie!

you've never been poor I take it. it's already chaos. it can't get worse. the most dangerous people are those with nothing to lose.

*sorry to use you for my example :P

So, because I'm comfortable, I should be okay with uncomfortable people ruining the lives of other innocents?

"Hello, police? A man with a gun broke into my house!"
"Is he a minority?"
"Well, yes, but why does that matter?"
"We're sorry, sir. We can't help you. He's systematically oppressed and we have far larger, cultural issues to consider. Have a nice day."

I've never been poor in an urban environment.

So, while not entirely correct, your premise is still accurate I suppose.

Which is why I'm the "bleeding heart" that I am when it comes to these areas.

But convincing others that the best way to stop these kinds of things from happening is to help these areas is hard at the best of times, and practically impossible while riots are actively happening.

I don't want any of you to be OK with it, I want you to understand it. we're all the same, barring our circumstances.

*oppresses Ravael and Ramyrez because their monikers start with a letter other than "B"*

Not to go full circle, but I think this is relevant to our interests, satire or otherwise.

Baltimore Residents Urged To Stay Indoors Until Social Progress Naturally Takes Its Course Over Next Century

Monikerist bigot!

I understand wanting change. I understand being willing to fight for it.

I don't understand* those who take that willingness to fight and manipulate it into situations that help literally no one and only hurt others. They are literally blocking the changes they want to see by perpetuating negative mindsets with their actions.



*Again, figuratively. I understand that some people are just influential shitheads.