Blind Beliefs

[Jennifer5]

I've found that there is one thing that I cannot bring myself to accept, I call it 'blind beliefs'. I'm tolerant of people's opions and beliefs when they are the opposite of mine....

What I cannot stand, is people who fully back a belief or opinion when they have no idea what they are actually backing!

I know people who are supporting McCain... and that I was fine with because I thought that their beliefs must match up with what he was saying. Then I come to find out that they have no idea what his policies are, they don't know anything about his voting record, they don't know the first thing about Palin, etc. etc. Then they go on to be rude to my family about our opinions, when we believe in Obama and actually have been listening to him and looking at what he stands for and his past.


Is it just me, or do "blind beliefs" really bother you?

[nervezapper]

You are not alone!!

[pianoplayer66]

My parents are died in the wool republicans. They wouldn't vote for the "other" person if their lives depended on it. They are sure that the know what there is to know about a candidate and if you show them otherwise they just won't believe the candidate said or did it. IT DRIVES ME NUTS!!!

I am neither Dem or Rep. Neither side has it all right! It is like saying one denomination has THE corner on salvation. (of course my parents think their denomination does, so it fits also)

I was so in hopes that this year more people (especially the really polarized rep and dems) would honestly look at the issues considering the messes we are in.

[BruceChris]

If you keep this up, and start to get a reputation as someone who thinks for herself, you may find your prospects in life somewhat reduced, by those who fear that sort of thing.

Have you ever read the book 1984? . . . . Doublethink!! . It works for Blind Believers every time.

P&L, Bruce Chris

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Jennifer5

Is it just me, or do "blind beliefs" really bother you?

I saw a report last night on PBS about the election and how people are voting in Florida. So- here was this straight couple who backed Hillary strongly. And then when she didn't win, what did they do? Switch to McCain.

Made me want to yell at the TV? "What the hell were you voting for? Her skin color? What happened to the issues?"

Blind belief? How about color blind?

The clincher was one the wife mentioned when speaking about Obama that we couldn't have 'those kind of people' running America.

I am seriously concerned that the unspoken issue in this election is race. Forget about the issues. One can't deal with them when one has to deal with the elephant in the room.

It's kinda like the situation gay people of faith find themselves in. Can't talk about gay rights or being gay because of the ignorance by conservatives/fundamentalists. They aren't seeing a person, but this huge thing in their mind called homosexuality - you know- the beast with 6 legs- the one that eats children for breakfast- or some such nonsense.

The blind are leading the blind!

[Gennee]

What is ignored what are McCain's views on the economy, the war, etc. What are his ways that he can resolve the problems in the country. I haven't heard that from him at all. Just a bunch of gobblty-gook.

Gennee

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by Gennee

What is ignored what are McCain's views on the economy, the war, etc. What are his ways that he can resolve the problems in the country. I haven't heard that from him at all. Just a bunch of gobblty-gook.

Gennee

How about this from Sarah P. when asked if there were other Supreme Court decisions that she disagreed with (other than Roe v Wade)

"Well, let's see. There's, of course, in the great history of America rulings there have been rulings, that's never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are, those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but ...."

"Well, I could think of, of any again, that could be best dealt with on a more local level. Maybe I would take issue with. But you know, as mayor, and then as governor and even as a vice president, if I'm so privileged to serve, wouldn't be in a position of changing those things but in supporting the law of the land as it reads today

Just one question, Sarah... What language was that? Even W. was never that incoherent.

[ocaptain]

We should not be worrying about others beliefs based on ignorance. We need to step up and participate in the changes our country needs to make. Some people don't get it or don't care. Speak up!! If you live near a state that is considered a "swing state"....go there and help your candidate by sharing your concerns. Reach out....it's amazing....even if someone shuts the door on you, they have been touched and forced to think.

Effort=change!!

[antiochian]

Originally Posted by Jennifer5

I've found that there is one thing that I cannot bring myself to accept, I call it 'blind beliefs'. I'm tolerant of people's opions and beliefs when they are the opposite of mine....

What I cannot stand, is people who fully back a belief or opinion when they have no idea what they are actually backing!

I know people who are supporting McCain... and that I was fine with because I thought that their beliefs must match up with what he was saying. Then I come to find out that they have no idea what his policies are, they don't know anything about his voting record, they don't know the first thing about Palin, etc. etc. Then they go on to be rude to my family about our opinions, when we believe in Obama and actually have been listening to him and looking at what he stands for and his past.


Is it just me, or do "blind beliefs" really bother you?

Oh, I know just what you're talking about. In my neck of the woods, G.W. is second in line after Jesus. I've been told that he was appointed by God (scary God!), etc. Now, Palin is the new idol of the right. There's a certain group of ladies I play cards with every so often, and God forbid you disagree with them about the infallible, God-ordained, all-holy Republican party!

[BruceChris]

Addressing Daniel's issue, and I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here:

Given the fact of racism, I would still like to think that in an otherwise ideal world, the only difference between most American's feelings about Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey would be the fact that America has had over 20 years to get to know her.

And right after the first Gulf war, adding Colin Powell to the list, the two most trusted people in America were both African Americans.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

If you keep this up, and start to get a reputation as someone who thinks for herself, you may find your prospects in life somewhat reduced, by those who fear that sort of thing.

Have you ever read the book 1984? . . . . Doublethink!! . It works for Blind Believers every time.

P&L, Bruce Chris

Thanks
...but no idea what the book is

Originally Posted by Daniel

I saw a report last night on PBS about the election and how people are voting in Florida. So- here was this straight couple who backed Hillary strongly. And then when she didn't win, what did they do? Switch to McCain.

Made me want to yell at the TV? "What the hell were you voting for? Her skin color? What happened to the issues?"

Blind belief? How about color blind?

The clincher was one the wife mentioned when speaking about Obama that we couldn't have 'those kind of people' running America.

I am seriously concerned that the unspoken issue in this election is race. Forget about the issues. One can't deal with them when one has to deal with the elephant in the room.

It's kinda like the situation gay people of faith find themselves in. Can't talk about gay rights or being gay because of the ignorance by conservatives/fundamentalists. They aren't seeing a person, but this huge thing in their mind called homosexuality - you know- the beast with 6 legs- the one that eats children for breakfast- or some such nonsense.

The blind are leading the blind!

This is exactly what scares me! I don't see how... if it had anything to do with the issues... how would someone go from Hilary to McCain?! They would both be able to tell you that they probably don't agree on hardly anything.

I mean... this isn't even about just McCain and Obama. I was also upset when people wanted Hilary and they would just say, "wouldn't it be nice to have a woman as president?", or with Obama, "wouldn't it be nice to have a black man as president?" Sure, it definately would be good either way, but 'the black man' or 'the woman' are not who we are voting for... we have to vote for the person... the issues.

Originally Posted by Gennee

What is ignored what are McCain's views on the economy, the war, etc. What are his ways that he can resolve the problems in the country. I haven't heard that from him at all. Just a bunch of gobblty-gook.

Gennee

You know, I keep hearing this and I agree... but I think that maybe the only reason that it feels like Obama isn't doing the same thing is because we read his information? It seems to me that those who are not paying attention all the time, those who only listen to the debates, are the ones who seem to think that we aren't getting answers. I don't hear answers from McCain, but then again during the accual debates I don't think we're hearing a whole lot from Obama either.

Originally Posted by u-dog

Just one question, Sarah... What language was that? Even W. was never that incoherent.

Thank God... I'm not the only one confused by this!
I'm completely shocked that the Obama/Biden campaign has been so nice to her, she has one very dark past and I think McCain would lose a lot of support if some of her little secrets got blasted. Just one example: Do anyone see the problem with her teaching abstinence instead of sex-ed and ending up with a pregnant daughter?

Originally Posted by ocaptain

We should not be worrying about others beliefs based on ignorance. We need to step up and participate in the changes our country needs to make. Some people don't get it or don't care. Speak up!! If you live near a state that is considered a "swing state"....go there and help your candidate by sharing your concerns. Reach out....it's amazing....even if someone shuts the door on you, they have been touched and forced to think.

Effort=change!!

I definately agree! This sort of topic should only encourage people more to go out and help, not discourage people! I hope that anyone and everyone who is able to, goes out and helps Obama at this time.... I think the independents are going to have a lot of say this time around.

Originally Posted by antiochian

Oh, I know just what you're talking about. In my neck of the woods, G.W. is second in line after Jesus. I've been told that he was appointed by God (scary God!), etc. Now, Palin is the new idol of the right. There's a certain group of ladies I play cards with every so often, and God forbid you disagree with them about the infallible, God-ordained, all-holy Republican party!

These people scare me!

Originally Posted by BruceChris

Addressing Daniel's issue, and I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here:

Given the fact of racism, I would still like to think that in an otherwise ideal world, the only difference between Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey would be the fact that America has had over 20 years to get to know her.

And right after the first Gulf war, adding Colin Powell to the list, the two most trusted people in America were both African Americans.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

Well, that, and I don't know how qualified Oprah would be?

I really hate that race would even be a factor in this situation, but unfortunately it is. I just hope that it isn't a big factor.'

Sometimes I wish these entire campaigns could be run without you even seeing the canidates and without them ever saying which party they were. What would happen if they had to put it all in writing and just state where they stand on the issues and even debate one another online?

I mean, I understand that that is not a realistic option, but I would be very interested to see where people would come out doing things that way. I wish that people really listen and chose the person that speaks for them, not just the person that they have pre-picked.


Ok, I've rambled plenty for now... back to schoolwork.

[BruceChris]

I said she was trusted. I guess I could have been more clear.


EDIT: In the early 1990's, I promised that someday I would vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton for president. And at the caucus, I did.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

I said she was trusted

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

Understood

[BruceChris]

In which there is NO privacy. I think that most people over 40 have read it, just ask one.

P&L, BC

[Dakota]

Especially when us Obama supporters aren't allowed to say anything bad about Bush, McCain, or Palin. Apparently, Republicans are people who can do no wrong, while Democrats are people who do everything wrong. But which side here really lacks good judgment and common sense? The answer's pretty obvious, don't you think?

[Gennee]

A lot of people really don't look at issues all that closely. The tendency is to vote along party lines. There were people who simply would not vote for an African-American (reeks of privilege). I have not always voted along party lines over the last 20+ years.

Gennee