Thread: Dogma vs Facts

Bring your most hated talking point and pummel it into tiny spots by presenting facts that blow it out of the water. And if you just respond to a talking point with another talking point, we who are into accuracy and truth will attempt to set you right.



Here's a smattering of typical talking points that need to be exploded.



Liberals are all pointy headed government employees sucking on the taxpayer's money.

(fact: Inkslinger or Davocrat )



Christians are all fundamentalist whackadoos.



Anyone who wants to see Obamas's complete birth information is a "Birther."



Republicans are fiscally conservative.



The Dems criticized Republican spending because they wanted greater, fiscal restraint.



Anyone who criticizes US policies hates the US.



Han shot first!

[quote name='Gypsy' date='14 May 2010 - 10:59 AM' timestamp='1273849165' post='151130']

The reason I don't spend as much time here as I normally did, is crap like this. Same old topics and rants rehashed over and over. Someone "setting someone else straight". Someone defending their perception of the "truth". Have fun with that ...[/quote]



This is the soul of democracy. If we are ever to get past talking points, we must demand greater depth and accuracy.

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='14 May 2010 - 10:35 AM' timestamp='1273858514' post='151204']

This is the soul of democracy. If we are ever to get past talking points, we must demand greater depth and accuracy.

[/quote]



Ahhh, the greater depth and accuracy talking point.

[quote name='boontito' date='14 May 2010 - 03:41 PM' timestamp='1273866103' post='151291']

Ahhh, the greater depth and accuracy talking point. [/quote]



Exactly. Aspiring to it doesn't mean we always do it.

[quote name='Gypsy' date='14 May 2010 - 10:22 PM' timestamp='1273890141' post='151454']

KMiller, this is the part that is BS. Your truth and your accuracy are just that .. yours. Not everyone see things as you do and that doesn't make them wrong.[/quote]



And I prefer oddness supported by some facts over talking points that are obviously wrong.



The goal is to move the dialogue away from obvious generalizations (aka whack-a-mole) to insights with factual backing. Let me take a distant example for which there is probably little passion left.



Talking point: Bush outed Valerie Plame!



This was repeated endlessly as way of trying to get the Bush numbers down (possibly another talking point). But if you peel away the talking points and examine the facts, it is a fascinating case of skulduggery and political manipulation ... on both sides.



If a discussion stays at the TP stage, it's boring. If you dig down and support with facts, it gets interesting, albeit theoretical, for sure.



A lot of the time, I spin theories just to create controversy. I sort of half belief them, but sometimes I think it's just for effect. I consider this an entertainment medium. So if I sound like I think I'm right, remember, it's just part of the act. A theory is just a theory.



But if they don't move the planet off the courthouse lawn, I'm suing for religious establishment!

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='15 May 2010 - 02:19 AM' timestamp='1273915152' post='151502']A lot of the time, I spin theories just to create controversy. I sort of half belief them, but sometimes I think it's just for effect. I consider this an entertainment medium. So if I sound like I think I'm right, remember, it's just part of the act. A theory is just a theory. [/quote]



And welcome to the Cable News generation!

[quote name='boontito' date='15 May 2010 - 06:22 AM' timestamp='1273918923' post='151505']

And welcome to the Cable News generation![/quote]



Hey, you're clearly part of the team.