Are you able to say something nice about your opponents?

[TheNewTeddy]

Not sure where else to post this.

I notice that some people (I won't name names) will attack anyone on the left or right in the "status update" section, when that person is of the opposite alignment.

Now I've done this myself, but I do not save my attacks for just one side of the spectrum.

I'm curious if

A - You can, as in, are able to, say something nice about your political opponents, IE, those you disagree with politically

and

B - If you think so, I encourage you to give it a shot in this thread

There are enough threads full of attacks on people you disagree with, lets try something a bit different.

Do you dislike Harper? Say something nice about him. Obama? Same thing.

And don't just go for stuff like "uh, well he's nice with his kids I suppose". Nobody agrees with another person 100% of the time, so logically, nobody can disagree either. What's something they've done that you actually agree with.

I'll start.

George W Bush

I always thought of this man as an idiot. Despite that, he did throw the Taliban out of office, and brought democracy to Iraq. He generally left social issues up to the states. He also refuses to get involved in politics, saying that his term is over, and refuses to meddle.

Stephen Harper

He likes cats. This might sound stupid, but I love Cats. I have a hard time seeing a cat person as being pure evil. Weather you think his EI changes are good or not, he still aims to provide for those who need a temporary helping hand. In fact, despite changing some eligibility, he has generally not touched personal transfers, and, has generally kept provincial transfers at a good level as well.

Pierre Trudeau

I know he's been dead for some time, but I personally consider him the worst PM we've ever had. Despite that, he legalized being gay, and really put "Canada" on the world map in many different ways, showing how we are distinct from either the US or UK.

[guyser]

Hmm....something nice eh?

Ok.....Lets see now

1) Harper looks better without a leather vest on

2) I like Jack Layton more now than ever.

3) Id really like Mayor Rob Ford to be beneath me if I fell off a building.

4) As much as it pains me, I rooted for the Ottawa Senators in this years playoffs. Even my Ottawa family were very surprised.

I feel icky now...gotta go shower.

[Michael Hardner]

Harper is a pragmatist and will leverage the conservative elements of Canadianism to make the changes he wants to make. His primary interest is economics and hasn't taken Canada down anything like a Tea Party path.

[Moonlight Graham]

Jean Chretien (with Martin) balanced the budget and reduced the debt, which they both deserve huge credit for.

Harper - calm and calculating, seems rational. Is intelligent. Not a bad musician. Doesn't let opinions about sweater-vests phase his love of sweater-vests.

Stalin - again, superb alpha-male mustache. Brought the beatdown to Hitler in WWII.

Rick Santorum - loves his family. again, sticks with sweater-vests despite public opinion. Stays true to his religious convictions...mostly.

George W Bush is still mostly a nice guy (though dumb and naive), would be a good neighbour, could have some fun BBQ's with him & family, throw the baseball around. Is largely responsible for Saddam being removed from power, as well as the Taliban. Is a strong, decisive leader. Seems somewhat regretful over his mistakes (even if doesn't say it publicly). Prevented another terrorist attack on US/North Am. soil after 9/11.

Dick Cheney - tough one! also helped prevent other post-9/11 North Am. terrors attack. Is calm, is a good liar, knows how to get what he wants politically, knows how to turn bad situations (9/11) into an asset, hasn't airstriked/waterboarded his gay daughter.

Saddam Hussein - strong, decisive leader. Hard to intimidate. Didn't give a fudge what people thought of him. Fantastic mustache.

[Guest Manny]

Do you dislike Harper? Say something nice about him. Obama? Same thing.

Why? Is this like being in some kind of liberal social equalitists land? Why is it necessary to say something nice about someone who does things you totally disagree with.

Conjuring up acquiescent gestures of forced friendliness is for kindergartens, and hippy camps.

And don't just go for stuff like "uh, well he's nice with his kids I suppose". Nobody agrees with another person 100% of the time, so logically, nobody can disagree either.

I disagree with everything the Cons are doing in their jobs. I don't know them personally or as friends, so can't say what kind of neighbours they would make. But I probably wouldn't like them that way either. In fact, I'm quite sure of it.

[Moonlight Graham]

Why? Is this like being in some kind of liberal social equalitists land? Why is it necessary to say something nice about someone who does things you totally disagree with.

Conjuring up acquiescent gestures of forced friendliness is for kindergartens, and hippy camps.

It's an exercise in fairness & objectivity, and trying to have an intellectual mindset rather than just a passionate one. If everything you think about politicians you disagree with is negative then that probably says more about you than them.

The opposite of trying to be fair & objective is, well, Shady re: Obama. WE MUST ALL TRY TO AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS!

[Wild Bill]

Why? Is this like being in some kind of liberal social equalitists land? Why is it necessary to say something nice about someone who does things you totally disagree with.

Conjuring up acquiescent gestures of forced friendliness is for kindergartens, and hippy camps.

I disagree with everything the Cons are doing in their jobs. I don't know them personally or as friends, so can't say what kind of neighbours they would make. But I probably wouldn't like them that way either. In fact, I'm quite sure of it.

It's about perspective, Manny. If you see everyone who might disagree with you about something as a demon, then perhaps you are raising snakes under your hat!

It also shows incredibly shallow thinking as a world view.

I can't help think much of this stems from simple ego. Someone believes that everything he champions is good and right, therefore anything to the contrary must be evil and wrong. What's more, anyone who shares his beliefs is a saint and anyone who leans to the contrary must be a demon.

Since that someone of course hates demons and tries to strike them down at every opportunity then he himself must be a helluva great guy!

See? Very simple, really.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Wild Bill

[Canuckistani]

What about just saying where you agree with somebody you often disagree with? Overall, I'm against the CPC (ie Harper) because in areas of disagreement, I really disagree. But I agree with Harper on reforming immigration - if we're going to bring in people, it should only be if it is clearly of benefit to Canadians. Another one is not just shoveling money at Natives to create more welfare dependency. There are other instances where I agree with Harper, just don't come to mind this early in the morning.

I try to conduct myself the same way on a forum. Might argue hammer and tongs about an issue with a person, but if they make what I consider to be a good point, or I agree with their particular argument, I'll say so.

[Topaz]

It's one thing to say something good about a person, its totally different to say something else something positive about a person who making your life a living hell or making life difficult. I've said this before Harper may be a nice guy, but as the PM of Canadians he making things very hard. There's 185,000 ex-workers waiting for EI, as it was pointed out in the House today. Canada are edging closer to 2 Mil out of work. If you do want something nice about Harper, he good at playing the piano and Rae is even better playing the piano and singing.

[bleeding heart]

I try to conduct myself the same way on a forum. Might argue hammer and tongs about an issue with a person, but if they make what I consider to be a good point, or I agree with their particular argument, I'll say so.

That's the way to go.

Further, I have occasionally come up against posters who are friendly and accomodating when I make self-evidently damnfool statements, and I appreciate it.

Not that I demand of anyone, including myself, that we always be friendly and accomodating. But now and then? Why not, eh?

[GostHacked]

Hmm....something nice eh?

Ok.....Lets see now

1) Harper looks better without a leather vest on

2) I like Jack Layton more now than ever.

3) Id really like Mayor Rob Ford to be beneath me if I fell off a building.

4) As much as it pains me, I rooted for the Ottawa Senators in this years playoffs. Even my Ottawa family were very surprised.

I feel icky now...gotta go shower.

Even though #2 maybe be considered bad taste ... I still laughed quite loud.

[Guest Peeves]

Even though #2 maybe be considered bad taste ... I still laughed quite loud.

Personally I prefer to damn with faint praise as..The Ontario Liberals have outdone themselves finding ways to raise taxes to support their programs.

Unstated. While promising not to raise taxes and having programs like E Health and Ornge and Green Energy.

[cybercoma]

Harper is a pragmatist and will leverage the conservative elements of Canadianism to make the changes he wants to make. His primary interest is economics and hasn't taken Canada down anything like a Tea Party path.

Took the words out of my mouth, more or less.

[Argus]

My opponents are simpletons and self righteous moral prigs but at least they're interested in the political process, even if they're too stupid to properly understand it.

[bleeding heart]

My opponents are mostly pretty good, if we're talking about MLW, and some of them are formidably intelligent and insightful. And for every one of them that isn't so bright, it would appear they are more or less evenly matched by silliness from the other end, so...there we stand.

[Guest Derek L]

My opponents are mostly pretty good, if we're talking about MLW, and some of them are formidably intelligent and insightful. And for every one of them that isn't so bright, it would appear they are more or less evenly matched by silliness from the other end, so...there we stand.

Well said.

[eyeball]

Why? Is this like being in some kind of liberal social equalitists land? Why is it necessary to say something nice about someone who does things you totally disagree with.

Conjuring up acquiescent gestures of forced friendliness is for kindergartens, and hippy camps.

I disagree with everything the Cons are doing in their jobs. I don't know them personally or as friends, so can't say what kind of neighbours they would make. But I probably wouldn't like them that way either. In fact, I'm quite sure of it.

They don't make very nice neighbours in my experience. They're usually the first to stick their noses in their neighbour's business and rat them out to authorities for local by-law infractions. It's no surprise to me why authorities in general have such a natural affinity for right-wingers, who make really good snitches despite everything they say about getting the state off their own backs.

[TheNewTeddy]

They don't make very nice neighbours in my experience. They're usually the first to stick their noses in their neighbour's business and rat them out to authorities for local by-law infractions. It's no surprise to me why authorities in general have such a natural affinity for right-wingers, who make really good snitches despite everything they say about getting the state off their own backs.

I've been called a leftist, but I'd do the same.

[kraychik]

They don't make very nice neighbours in my experience. They're usually the first to stick their noses in their neighbour's business and rat them out to authorities for local by-law infractions. It's no surprise to me why authorities in general have such a natural affinity for right-wingers, who make really good snitches despite everything they say about getting the state off their own backs.

That type of behaviour is typical of leftists, actually. It is funny, however, when the ridiculous rules and regulations imposed by leftists with the support of leftist is used against leftists. That is ironic justice.

[BubberMiley]

That type of behaviour is typical of leftists, actually.

When leftists are defined as Nazis and anyone further left of them, that pretty much constitutes the behaviour of society as a whole.

[cybercoma]

That type of behaviour is typical of leftists, actually. It is funny, however, when the ridiculous rules and regulations imposed by leftists with the support of leftist is used against leftists. That is ironic justice.

Hook.

[cybercoma]

When leftists are defined as Nazis and anyone further left of them, that pretty much constitutes the behaviour of society as a whole.

Line and sinker.

[eyeball]

I've been called a leftist, but I'd do the same.

Well, I did get my back up once when one of our neighbours, a really conservative redneck as I recall, plunked a sawmill down in the middle of our neighbourhood.