American Politics

[Sanity Check]

If someone said its very important for people in 2021 to be skeptical. Educate themselves. And look at both sides of the debate.

Would anyone agree with that?

Does anyone research both sides of issues. Or is it safe to say: its better to simply look at only one side and never the other.

I follow a lot of right wing personalities on social media. And I also follow enough left wing to know what they're saying. It seems to me that most are too afraid to look at both sides or challenge their knowledge. And simply prefer to live inside partisan echo chambers. Which is bad for civilization and society.

 

[ninjabot]

Skepticism is important, but that doesn't mean you have to follow both left wing and right wing media in order to get both sides of the story, it just means you need to withhold your belief until you have sufficient enough evidence to believe it's accurate. Subjecting yourself to both sides of the argument doesn't mean anything if you can't stow your confirmation bias, because it means you'll go into media you agree with expecting to agree with it and won't be as skeptical as you think you are... while going into the media you expect to disagree with and subconsciously search for any little pedantic thing that will give you an excuse to dismiss it.

Basically, apply the same level of skepticism to every form of media regardless of where it comes from.

Another thing that helps me with my political views is political streamers. Admittedly, I only follow leftist and left-leaning streamers like Vaush, Destiny, Denims, Contrapoints, Sam Seder and the like... but, I get to see these content streamers debate and debunk conservative media point-by-point on their videos, or even live on debate panels so they both get to bring their evidence to the argument, which is then gone over on stream or in later vids (and I can fact check along with them since I'm watching on my comp or have my phone in my hand while listening to the content at work lol). And since the streamers usually stream daily they focus on breaking news, and usually go through multiple different sources.

It's also important to determine whether the person you're getting your news from is a grifter or not.

 

[Sanity Check]

I'm guessing none on the left will criticize Biden for building Trump's "racist" wall to keep illegal immigrants out?

Maybe in Biden's case, the wall is being built to keep americans in?

 

[ninjabot]

He's not building Trump's racist wall (it's already mostly built). He's removing certain sections of it and focusing on electronic surveillance instead.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/04/11/trumps-border-wall-belongs-biden-now/

Trump's wall was just a more racist and overtly virtue-signally version of previous border control ideas. And no, I don't agree with the wall, but I do agree with the changes Biden is attempting to do to it.

 

[Sanity Check]

Another thing that helps me with my political views is political streamers. Admittedly, I only follow leftist and left-leaning streamers like Vaush, Destiny, Denims, Contrapoints, Sam Seder and the like... but, I get to see these content streamers debate and debunk conservative media point-by-point on their videos

I try to pay attention to both sides. Its very common for political commentary to lie or quote things out of context to push their agendas.

Washington Post settles $250M suit with Covington teen Nick Sandmann

The Washington Post on Friday agreed to settle a monster $250 million lawsuit filed by Covington Catholic High School student Nick Sandmann over its botched coverage of his 2019 encounter with a Na…

nypost.com

Like they did with this guy who apparently won his $250 million dollar lawsuit due to fake news being reported on him.

 

[hokageji]

Skepticism is important, but that doesn't mean you have to follow both left wing and right wing media in order to get both sides of the story, it just means you need to withhold your belief until you have sufficient enough evidence to believe it's accurate. Subjecting yourself to both sides of the argument doesn't mean anything if you can't stow your confirmation bias, because it means you'll go into media you agree with expecting to agree with it and won't be as skeptical as you think you are... while going into the media you expect to disagree with and subconsciously search for any little pedantic thing that will give you an excuse to dismiss it.

I agree, but it all boils down to your source. I think its important to get the story from both sides...... When both sides claim its factual, they are still narrating half of the story... Take the texas power cut for example. Dan Crenshaw had an elaborate tweet explaining why wind mills failed and renewables are not feasible making some justifiable points... However, he failed or selectively omitted that natural gas plants had a much higher shut down rate. This is because of water vapor in natural gas which froze making them unusable... Even the left failed to articulate this (most of them atleast) just calling him anti environment and blaming texas for not implementing proper protocols....

Gavin Newsom's road tax initiative was hailed by the left and moderates in california for generating revenue. But some conservative pundits pointed out that the taxation actually helped the rich and hurt the middle class, as its the middle class that stayed away from the cities and commuted into, thereby bearing the burden.

It all boils down to facts, but the narrative is always one sided. Getting the facts from both sides is always good, the real challenge is understanding where to get it.

I'm guessing none on the left will criticize Biden for building Trump's "racist" wall to keep illegal immigrants out?

Maybe in Biden's case, the wall is being built to keep americans in?

That's a click bait article.... Biden has never proposed open borders and any practical person will agree that having a secure border is important. Its just that a wall itself isnt a solution for it.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 14, 2021, Original Post Date: Apr 13, 2021 ---

also, did anyone get their vaccines yet?

I got the first one this saturday, i must say the setup here in california was amazingly smooth. It took us just an hour, which was quite fast considering there were around 1000 people and social distancing had to be practiced....

 

[M3J]

If someone said its very important for people in 2021 to be skeptical. Educate themselves. And look at both sides of the debate.

Would anyone agree with that?

Does anyone research both sides of issues. Or is it safe to say: its better to simply look at only one side and never the other.

I follow a lot of right wing personalities on social media. And I also follow enough left wing to know what they're saying. It seems to me that most are too afraid to look at both sides or challenge their knowledge. And simply prefer to live inside partisan echo chambers. Which is bad for civilization and society.

Judging from your posts, you are lying and don't follow any left wing, or you have bad comprehension skills. Majority of the right wing I've seen talk about the left have been so wrong it was embarrassing.

Funnily, I've looked at both sides and often saw the right lie or misinform more than I have the left.

 

[ninjabot]

also, did anyone get their vaccines yet?

I got the first one this saturday, i must say the setup here in california was amazingly smooth. It took us just an hour, which was quite fast considering there were around 1000 people and social distancing had to be practiced....

I get my first moderna shot tomorrow. They're giving it out at my job. Coulda waited later to get it done at the pharmacy but I'm sure there'll be tons more people there and thus make it take much longer to get.

 

[M3J]

also, did anyone get their vaccines yet?

My mom and I did, mine a day earlier. Took me about 30 minutes, 5-10 if you're talking about waiting in line to right after the shot. No line and we were moving quickly, took my mom a bit longer.

 

[Sanity Check]

also, did anyone get their vaccines yet?

My stance on COVID vaccines is.

I would rather be kicked in the balls(by an unathletic woman), than take an untested vaccine that only lasts 6 months. Intended to immunize against an illness that is dangerous to less than 0.3% of the population.

The cure is worse than the disease.

Judging from your posts, you are lying and don't follow any left wing, or you have bad comprehension skills. Majority of the right wing I've seen talk about the left have been so wrong it was embarrassing.

Funnily, I've looked at both sides and often saw the right lie or misinform more than I have the left.

Evidence?

 

[M3J]

I know quite a few people who got the vaccine, was around people/family with covid, and didn't catch covid. I wish people understood how vaccines work, especially full-grown adults who can use Google.

 

[Sanity Check]

I know quite a few people who got the vaccine, was around people/family with covid, and didn't catch covid. I wish people understood how vaccines work, especially full-grown adults who can use Google.

Gardasil Researcher Speaks Out

"Public Should Receive More Complete Warnings"

www.cbsnews.com

Gardisil HPV vaccine

"The benefit to public health is nothing, there is no reduction in cervical cancers, they are just postponed, unless the protection lasts for at least 15 years, and over 70% of all sexually active females of all ages are vaccinated." She also says that enough serious side effects have been reported after Gardasil use that the vaccine could prove riskier than the cervical cancer it purports to prevent.

...


Like they say: history repeats itself?

edit

Abolish the FDA

The role of the state is to protect rights and guard against fraud, not to prevent people from making risky choices.

reason.com

There is also that for anyone interested in a broader criticism of the US medical process.

 

[hokageji]

I get my first moderna shot tomorrow. They're giving it out at my job. Coulda waited later to get it done at the pharmacy but I'm sure there'll be tons more people there and thus make it take much longer to get.

i spoke to the people there and they were saying they would encourage everyone to get and get one as soon as possible. The idea is to get herd immunity specially with those who travel, so getting it now is a good thing.

My mom and I did, mine a day earlier. Took me about 30 minutes, 5-10 if you're talking about waiting in line to right after the shot. No line and we were moving quickly, took my mom a bit longer.

That's impressive, is this in illinois area? We had a mandatory 15 minute observation after the vaccine, which was a good thing too, as an immediate effect can be monitored.

My stance on COVID vaccines is.

I would rather be kicked in the balls(by an unathletic woman), than take an untested vaccine that only lasts 6 months. Intended to immunize against an illness that is dangerous to less than 0.3% of the population.

The cure is worse than the disease.







Evidence?

suit yourself. Cant save everyone.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 14, 2021, Original Post Date: Apr 14, 2021 ---

Gardisil HPV vaccine

"The benefit to public health is nothing, there is no reduction in cervical cancers, they are just postponed, unless the protection lasts for at least 15 years, and over 70% of all sexually active females of all ages are vaccinated." She also says that enough serious side effects have been reported after Gardasil use that the vaccine could prove riskier than the cervical cancer it purports to prevent.

How does this apply to covid vaccines? Pfizer, moderna and even Johnson and Johson have a much higher success rate (90%+ and 77% ).... Adn this is much higher than a flu shot, which is estimated around 50%.

Are you applying a logic of one vaccine to another? Adn why?

 

[ninjabot]

Well they recalled the shots and canceled the appointment for today so I didn't get my shot :l

Will have to find somewhere else to get one.

My stance on COVID vaccines is.

I would rather be kicked in the balls(by an unathletic woman), than take an untested vaccine that only lasts 6 months. Intended to immunize against an illness that is dangerous to less than 0.3% of the population.

The cure is worse than the disease.







Evidence?

If I believed in God, I'd be convinced Covid was an evolutionary tool used by him to clean out the gene pool of people that lack empathy for their fellow man. Responses like this is the reason why.

 

[hokageji]

If I believed in God, I'd be convinced Covid was an evolutionary tool used by him to clean out the gene pool of people that lack empathy for their fellow man. Responses like this is the reason why.

contender for the best line ever lol....

i dont get the correlation between religion and anti-vaccination either. even if i was religious, it'll make no sense. it doesnt go against the faith of any as far as i know.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 14, 2021, Original Post Date: Apr 14, 2021 ---

Judging from your posts, you are lying and don't follow any left wing, or you have bad comprehension skills. Majority of the right wing I've seen talk about the left have been so wrong it was embarrassing.

Funnily, I've looked at both sides and often saw the right lie or misinform more than I have the left.

there are quite a few journalist and statisticians on the right who make fair points with factual data. The funny thing is that these people are not even covered by Fox and other so called conservative media as they debunk them often, and most of them moved away from republican party as well, after Trump won.
Their reasons being trump wasn't a conservative...

So following both sides on a single issue i think is important. For instance, climate change. The critics on the right are approaching the issue from a practically and cost perspective, instead of debunking it as a real thing... i dont recollect names but if i encounter them, i'll share it here.

 

[ninjabot]

contender for the best line ever lol....

i dont get the correlation between religion and anti-vaccination either. even if i was religious, it'll make no sense. it doesnt go against the faith of any as far as i know.

In America it's because conservatives are particularly anti-government (when it serves them at least), so anything the government tells them is something they should or have to do it's viewed as some sort of attempt at gaining power over them or taking rights from them. And Christian Nationalism is making an unfortunate rise right now.

There are also Christians that are against vaccination because it implies a lack of faith in their God. Children have died because their parents swore off modern medicine for this reason. And Jehova's Witnesses may or may not be anti vax, but I know they won't allow blood transfusions...

In some places there are vaccines that have ingredients that are considered non-halal (made with pig products) so like, in Indonesia where there are a lot of Muslims, they swore off certain vaccines.

 

[xi0]

My stance on COVID vaccines is.

I would rather be kicked in the balls(by an unathletic woman), than take an untested vaccine that only lasts 6 months. Intended to immunize against an illness that is dangerous to less than 0.3% of the population.

The cure is worse than the disease.

What about the "cure" is worse than the disease?

Protection from immunological memory seems to last AT LEAST 8 months. And that number has increased as time has gone on and could be years even.

 

[M3J]

Gardasil Researcher Speaks Out

"Public Should Receive More Complete Warnings"

www.cbsnews.com

Gardisil HPV vaccine

"The benefit to public health is nothing, there is no reduction in cervical cancers, they are just postponed, unless the protection lasts for at least 15 years, and over 70% of all sexually active females of all ages are vaccinated." She also says that enough serious side effects have been reported after Gardasil use that the vaccine could prove riskier than the cervical cancer it purports to prevent.

...


Like they say: history repeats itself?

edit

Abolish the FDA

The role of the state is to protect rights and guard against fraud, not to prevent people from making risky choices.

reason.com

There is also that for anyone interested in a broader criticism of the US medical process.

I don't think vaccine can prevent cervical cancer though?

But this is unrelated to most vaccines.

That's impressive, is this in illinois area? We had a mandatory 15 minute observation after the vaccine, which was a good thing too, as an immediate effect can be monitored.

no, in NJ. I didn't even factor in the 15-minute wait time, I think, otherwise it'd have been 30 an hour at most. For me it's not a big deal to leave after 15 minutes or even 10, but we should have stayed 30 for my mom and will do so next time.

Well they recalled the shots and canceled the appointment for today so I didn't get my shot :l

I read how birth control has a higher rate/chances of blood clot than Johnson and Johnson, and how suspicious it is that they decided to recall J&J despite very low risk while doing nothing about birth control, which is more dangerous. That shit is scary, and it shows just how much the world hates women.

contender for the best line ever lol....

i dont get the correlation between religion and anti-vaccination either. even if i was religious, it'll make no sense. it doesnt go against the faith of any as far as i know.

--- Double Post Merged, Apr 14, 2021, Original Post Date: Apr 14, 2021 ---

there are quite a few journalist and statisticians on the right who make fair points with factual data. The funny thing is that these people are not even covered by Fox and other so called conservative media as they debunk them often, and most of them moved away from republican party as well, after Trump won.
Their reasons being trump wasn't a conservative...

So following both sides on a single issue i think is important. For instance, climate change. The critics on the right are approaching the issue from a practically and cost perspective, instead of debunking it as a real thing... i dont recollect names but if i encounter them, i'll share it here.

I've yet to see any of those journalists and statisticians though, which is probably not a good thing for conservatives. It's a shame how republicans are destroying themselves and yet, creating even stronger support by doing so.

 

[hokageji]

no, in NJ. I didn't even factor in the 15-minute wait time, I think, otherwise it'd have been 30 an hour at most. For me it's not a big deal to leave after 15 minutes or even 10, but we should have stayed 30 for my mom and will do so next time.

That is still pretty impressive. Here, the 15 minute was mandatory and we stayed till they asked us to leave...

I've yet to see any of those journalists and statisticians though, which is probably not a good thing for conservatives. It's a shame how republicans are destroying themselves and yet, creating even stronger support by doing so.

Unfortunately, most of their voter base doesn't care about real conservatism either. They are more concerned about Trumpist agendas.... But its good to see both sides of the argument, albeit the source is important.

 

[Sanity Check]

If I believed in God, I'd be convinced Covid was an evolutionary tool used by him to clean out the gene pool of people that lack empathy for their fellow man. Responses like this is the reason why.

Covid and the flu persist in nature due to cats, dogs, birds, rats and other mammals carrying it.

The infection is transmitted from people to animals. And vice versa.

It doesn't persist due to people refusing to be vaccinated btw.

And so I have no idea why you'd equate my response with anything like what you inaccurately frame it to be.