Another lesson from the Trump era... "What-about-ism" is difficult for people on both sides to overcome.
We should be able to hear criticism about our own political party without hyperventilating about how the other side is worse.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Since I’m not personally enamored of the Politicians or politics on either side ... though I’m registered so I can vote in Primaries ... I don’t have a problem with “what about ism”.
I knew DJ Trump to a minor extent in NYC ... didn’t much care for the guy ... when he decided to run for president, I didn’t much care for the guy ... I voted enthusiastically for him in the Primary and the Election ... I will do so again ...
Saying that I don’t care for the guy is NOT saying that I didn’t like his business, his policies or his job as President.
People on both sides of the aisle pick lousy politicians as examples for why they don’t like ... or are against ... or ... there’s a plethora of examples on BOTH sides. Since one side can kill the conversation by burying the opposition with example after example ... which is really not an argument ... while blithely ignoring their own Gorillas in the Parlor ... self defense REQUIRES a retort of “Oh Yeah!?! What about YOUR Gorilla?!?”
It’s not particularly a useful tactic but ... maybe ... it might give the other guy a moment to actually respond.
Bay0Wulf
Level 8
Mar 20, 2019
2
I'm fine with people pointing out the other side's gorilla, as long as they're willing to admit they have one too... and are willing to keep their own under control.
Absolutely agree.
Happening a lot with the New Zealand shootings.
Limitmanjagers
Level 6
Mar 20, 2019
1
Amen. Why is it that while the blood is still on the pavement, you see people ranting about Islamic extremism? Ranting on about how that's actually the problem and not white supremacy.
Remember your humanity people! A tragedy shouldn't turn into a contest... but it always does these days.
I think we have to qualify what-about-ism. It’s only Egregious when it’s being done to purposefully avoid a specific question or to pivot the discussion to something that makes your position more favorable. But if I am answering critique I think it’s perfectly kosher, especially when important elements are purposefully left out.
Hoosurdaddy
Level 4
Mar 20, 2019
1
Agreed. I just see a lot of Republicans doing exactly what you say not to do.
Outside of virtue signaling, I agree. With virtue signaling, Tu Quoque is very much appropriate. We should strive to deal with truth, but also recognize that our opponents feelings have often got the best of them.
During the Kavanaugh hearings when the leftists were blathering about doing away with presumption of innocence, I suggested that their pursuit of justice was off target by asking them when they recognized that Bill Clinton raped women. They were tugging on the chord to the guillotine without recognizing that they had put their own head in it.
RobBlair
Level 8
Mar 20, 2019
4
Agreed pointing out the problems on the other side is a worthwhile endeavor.
But I'd rather think of it as if I'm on the side of truth and reason, wherever I find it, and opposed to corruption, wherever I find it.
I understand the need for coalition building...you do have to create teams if you want to achieve anything... but the only way to make that team worthwhile is by protecting from corruption from within. Only then can you effectively fight against external forces.
In general I agree. There are times however when testing the credibility of a statement or an individual is important to ascertain sincerity.
Ldsrabbi
Level 5
Mar 20, 2019
2
Yes, I like to know if it is an argument to right a wrong or sacrifice the next lobster to get 2 cm higher.
I believe that "What-about-ism" only occurs when people lack the intellectual capacity to put out a factual rebuttal. Shamefully I have caught myself doing so in the past. It happens.
BrunosDad
Level 6
Mar 20, 2019
4
Agreed. I do it too.
I think it's appropriate to point out intellectual dishonesty from the other side (especially in media coverage), but I get tired of the knee jerk reaction to criticism of Trump by some on the right.
Even if you think he's a great president, and even if you think the other side is worse, are we really going to pretend like the guy has no flaws?
@jnaatjes I use this analogy.
President Trump reminds me of my son when he was 4 and asked to be excused from the dinner table. Everyone else had left but because he had refused to eat his vegetables he had to sit there until he ate them. When I asked him if his vegetables were gone he replied yes and showed me an empty plate. He had obviously lied because I could see my dog sitting under the table eating what he had thrown on the floor. I was disappointed but kind of laughed at the same time.
Compare that to my feelings about President Obama. He was my neighbor who consoled me about the fact that my dog had died. He shared a beer with me while telling me how great of a companion my dog had been. This really cheered me up until the wife was looking through some old security footage of the farm and caught my neighbor putting ground meat outside the back door of our house. Come to find out he had been trying to poison the poor animal for weeks. That takes l whole different type of person.
Yes President Trump has flaws but they are almost comical in nature. President Obama looked squarely into to the camera and lied time after time with a great big smile on his face just as smooth as silk over very serious matters.
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