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Politics for the Uninitiated
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Of all the Site forums, Politics is perhaps the most cliquey. We all tend to post here a bit, and most of our posts show a character which is commonly recognised. So, I thought I'd just make a quick note for all the newbies who'd like to post in Politics a bit more, we always welcome fresh opinions.
Read the forum guide at the top for a good idea of the rules of the place.
And some thoughts on how to survive the forum intact...
Each of us on the boards has a character shaped by our experiences. So I thought I would invite everyone to contribute a little note about themselves, what they do, and something about what their interests in politics are....
So I'll start.
I'm DJP, I'm a geographer at uni, and I tend to post on lots of things. My subject covers lots, and I browse the net a lot, so I tend to pick up on oddballs from BBC news and stuff. I like a decent argument, and well reasoned posts. I'm picky about language and grammar and stuff.... so be nice!
Anyone else to contribute?
Read the forum guide at the top for a good idea of the rules of the place.
And some thoughts on how to survive the forum intact...
- Take things in good heart. There are lots of well educated and well versed people here, MacKenzie, Vox pop and so on. They will know if you're bluffing.
- Try and give sources for everything you post. Outlandish statements will only get shot down in flames... reasoned statements will be heard.
- Give some space to people. Lots of people do this very well, it may take time to adjust to the pace, the style and the rhetoric of the board.
- The better argued your point, then more chance you have of being well respected. A good statement, decent English, and a strong argument will go very far.
- Take time to get to know the place. People won't bite at *you* personally, but no-one will hesitate to attack a chain of argument. Don't take things personally, dont aim things personally. It's much easier.
Each of us on the boards has a character shaped by our experiences. So I thought I would invite everyone to contribute a little note about themselves, what they do, and something about what their interests in politics are....
So I'll start.
I'm DJP, I'm a geographer at uni, and I tend to post on lots of things. My subject covers lots, and I browse the net a lot, so I tend to pick up on oddballs from BBC news and stuff. I like a decent argument, and well reasoned posts. I'm picky about language and grammar and stuff.... so be nice!
Anyone else to contribute?
0
Comments
I'm about to start my second year of A-levels, studying Physics, Maths, Chemistry and History. I'm also picky about spelling and grammer [sic], but I try not to obsess on it.
I like the debate here, and am (I hope) one of the more left-leaning posters you'll encounter.
Anyway, enjoy yourself.
Welcome to politics; you'll never leave.
I'm mist, I'm pretty well educated, though not necessarily in politics. I have opinions and will follow them through to the bitter end.
Other people can fill in or try to take apart the holes in my arguments and if you successfully change my mind then I will respect your view and shut up, otherwise I'll probably ramble on forever.
Outside of the Internet I'm currently a database developer in search of a better life.
Currently unemployed while trying to get my own business started but previously worked as systems co-ordinator for a nursing home company
Education isnt that impressive..Up to A levels at school, half a year of uni, numerous computer courses..Thinking of going back to uni, possibly in canada.
Politics...hmm..Well im a staunch supporter of America and Israel and I guess im right wing in most of my views...Despite Vox thinking im a closet leftie
I'm doing Chemistry, Biology and Politics at A level, and Philosophy and Psychology at AS. I want to do medicine at uni. Aaargh! Watch out if I'm ever your doc
On a test I took, 0 being extreme right wing and 32 being extreme left wing I got 16.
I love reading the debates, I am also a big fan of muffins.
This forum fascinates me because of the wealth of ideas and innovative thought that is usually displayed here.
Consequently, I won't put up with any shit either, but that's another story...:p
He's also very modest, if you'd not noticed
One of my strong suits
*tongue firmly in cheek*
I'm sort of like Balddog, I do support the USA, however I'm also quick to point out their failings, as I do with most other countries. I like to think however that I have a good base of common sense, as the other regular posters here seem to. I can see beyond the rhetoric and propganda surrounding the wars, crime e.t.c. that is present in the media, and I pride myself in being able to make a no-nonsense judgment about something.
Although this has also been seen by some as a disadvantage in some cases.
My political stance, according to the tests we took in social policy at uni is Middle Way, or in real terms Liberal Democrat (but not as poncy). I believe that we should have a welfare system, but at the same time there should be tough penalties for people who abuse it, as well as for people who break the law.
I work as a researcher for a magazine, where I cover Southeast Asian business, politics and finance. I'm pedantic about spelling, and I'm apparently more of a (soft-left) libertarian than anything else (according to this quiz).
I'm surprised by that, by the way.
I like talking about politics, but I don't know a lot about it.
I come from Singapore, so this may explain why I don't know much about politics. Ahem. But boy, do I have opinions. And I always do my best to back them up.
Been in the UK for 8 1/2 years, originally from Spain, and work in the antiques business. A bit left-wing leaning (or so they say). Despise right-wing tabloids and Ariel Sharon. Critical of many US policies abroad. Like Europe and the Euro, dislike europhobia, homophobia, racist attitudes about immigration. Oh, and loath Thatcher, Pinochet, and above all, religion.
Occasionally post stuff on impulse I later regret.
I am NHS Manager, but have previous experience outside in the real world. My school education was unremarkable, I only have 4 'O' Levels, didn't bother with As and didn't go to Uni. I learned most of what I know through life, the best school there is.
Not sure you can pigeon-hole my political beliefs too easily because I can have extreme views either way but the others may have an opinion there.
I like to think that I am openminded wnough to accept the positives and negatives in any situation, and whilst I support the US/UK in many apsects I can also see the bad things they do too, and am happy to point them out.
I love a sense of political irony. Nothing better than when the UK sends a peace mission to a country they are arming for War (see recent India/Pakistan conflict)...
Feel free to contribute.
NB. One warning, do not start a thread about guns, they usually become very heated and we've argued most (if not all) of the salient point so often now.
NB2. Whowhere is often referred to as "sheep". He likes this, you should use it as often as you can.
I'm as far as Ken Livingstone to the left, and near the bottom :eek:
git, it's the Yanks who are the sheep, not me.
I am unemployed at the moment, having just graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BEng in Manufacturing Engineering. My home is in South Ayrshire, Scotland, but I was born in Yorkshire.
As for politics, I am a member of the Conservative party and I agree with most, but not all of my party's policies. I am also a Christian and a monarchist, so any debates about religion or the monarchy and I'm in there.
Likes: Posh dinner parties, Cars, Trains.
Dislikes: The nanny state, EU imperialism, Sport.
I'm in exactly the same position as Robin Cook was in '96....
According to JetGrrl's quize, I am "middle of the economic road", moderately Authoritarian, which I am certain will astonish the most of you.
Let us see if this authentification posts up:
Not exactly, but you get the idea...
Of course, the results are rather tainted by the political/philosophical bent of the individual questions, MOST of which I would contend with...
Biographically, I was an astro-physics major (on a jock scholarship) when an invitation came to join a certain dance, 30 years ago. Rather than yild to conscription, I enlisted in the US Marine Corps. When I returned from my trip through reality, I found myself unable to subjugate myself to the delusional idealistic mindset of the classroom. Even prior to military service, I was rather self-taught, reading privately subjects I would take years later, including upper levels of physics, calculus, and astronomy. Non-submission to regimented education does not necessarily equal "ignorance"...
I believe in individual accountability/responsibility, and believe that those who require their hand held by "Big Brother" really should be Darwin'd away. Laws are put in place for the weak; the strong will survive, regardless. In an "anarchy", it is ironic that those who support the elimination of laws would be the ones to perish first.
Dychotomy: I am personally responsible for the saving of lives in the civilian world commensurate with my taking of lives in a combat environment. Not a stranger to either. However, having a "social conscience" does not mean that I am a pushover for ever sob story that comes along.
Criminal "justice" is for the protection of society, rather than either the "salvation" of the miscreant, or retribution by society. I acknowledge the necessity of the death penalty for capitol offenses, along with the RIGHT to personal defense of the individual.
Rather than make this a soapbox... :eek:
I am not necessarily exactly whom you might think me to be...
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -2.05
Economic Right, Libertarian....
I'm a US Army Officer, serving in SE Asia. I have strongly held views, mostly formed by my experiences growing up in New York City and in 40 odd countries.
I hold Masters degrees in History and Linguistics, and speak a number of languages to a varying degree of fluency (depending primarily on how recently I have had reason to use the language).
I believe in "the arena" (as described in the famous Teddy Roosevelt quote), taking action as your conscience dictates. I also believe in individual responsibility and in holding oneself to commitments regardless of the cost.
I believe that liberty is not easily gained and is worth fighting for, and not just for myself but for others. I believe in the quote at the bottom of my posts "De Oppresso Liber" - "To Liberate the Oppressed".
Probably the youngest regular poster in this forum, being "only" 16 years old. Though don't get fooled to believe that I am the little and naive Danish girl.
Currently I have started the math and science line in gymnasium (upper high-school), so my education and life experience isn't that developed yet.
The subject which "appels" to me the most in this forum is definitely Israel, though I usually get caught up in other arguments as well, while being accused that my opinions are too "american".
Otherwise, I concider myself as "centre-leaning rightie" when it
comes to politics. Though I do agree with some leftie ideas :eek:
(Can't really count on the test, as it said I was a leftie, and I definitely know that if I could vote tomorrow I would vote for a party on the right part of the scale).
:rolleyes: Sounds like someone else I know. Perhaps "he" should take that test again after a couple of hours over at Urban-75... :eek:
Those who took/take their military service seriously comprehend that other's lives are dependent upon "holding oneself to commitments regardless of the cost". Different mindset, and there are no excuses: you did, or you did not. As my grandad often said: "Make no threats; keep your promises."
Reality is a great antidote to idealism.
btw: that "lives saved/taken" was respondent to the many accusations of "baby-killer" posted on this forum.
I believe that you have the "freedom" to live your life in any manner you choose, until it affects my life. Then the problem will be resolved. To my satisfaction.
All "freedom" comes with RESPONSIBILITY: freedom lacking responsibility is simply chaos, and being old, I hate chaos. I prefer a life of peace: disturb that peace, and you would be better off waking the grizzly bear from hibernation, or a good meal...
Economic Left/Right: -4.00
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -0.97
Which puts me midway over to the left and slightly libertarian.
Which I guess is about right.
I'm a twenty-year-old undergraduate student at the University of Warwick, two years deep into a four-year Master of Mathematics degree. GCSEs and A-Levels accordingly (6A*, 3A, 1B; 5A). Some military backgound: father, own service in cadets. Main interests, in no particular order: history and moral philosophy, mathematics (yes, I enjoy my subject!), martial arts, any form of quality dramatic presentation (book, play, film... if it's good, I've time for it).
My function here? To be an annoying pain in the ass for those without cast-iron arguments or the grace to admit that they might be wrong. I frequently argue from the mathematical point of view in that I will quite mercilessly shred a theory for one inconsistency, or because it doesn't generalize to extreme situations very well. Nothing wrong with that, except when people claim their's is the one, true faith.
Oh, yeah, I'm something of an individualist. Generally despise organized religion, though have no problem with individual faiths... unless they impinge directly on me or those closest to me.
P.S. This poster has recently found his opinions more and more in alignment with those of Thanatos, and vice versa. Speculation runs rife as to whether T. is going soft (gasp!) or Mac is getting old before his time.
P.P.S. I didn't take the test, but I remember from the last time I did that I was only something like 0.1-0.2 off dead centre in both directions.
Even Malcolm X and Martin Luther King began to agree with each other after a time. It's natural.
I'm Angie, I'm uneducated, due to having little maturity during my teens and being unable to apply myself and go onto higher education. I consider myself to be a socialist. I'm a single parent (happily divorced), I work as a PA to Finance director in a charity/developmental/aid organisation that employs 5000 people worldwide.
My poliltical leanings are led by inate sense of fairplay which means that I'm very disillousioned with the world at the moment.
The politician I admire the most is Tony Benn, who could have had a marvellous career if he had just forgotten about his principles. I'm glad he didn't as he seems to be the last of the old style of Labour politician who is in the game because he cares, not because of self advancement.
I'm also a republican. I would vote like a shot to be rid of the royal family. I cannot reconcile myself to someone being placed on a pedestal, purely because of their birth. My opposition to them has nothing to do with their money, purely their unchallenged status. They can't hang me for holding that view these days, but plenty of people disagree with me, I know.
I've not done the test, but I will, and shall report back.
Well, I've done the test and my result is
Economic Left/Right: -4.50
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -4.97
What pleased me was that I sit at about the same place as Tony Benn on the compass.
I'm 18, just finished my A-levels (Maths, computing, economics with business) in june, and am now at the start of a year out. I used to be an anarchist, until about a year ago (of the peaceful sort... the real sort) but since then have mellowed quite a bit... I do still agree with many of the anarchic values, but I happily settle for liberal. In my defense, I would like to think that I lay out better arguments and debates about my 'leftie' beliefs then, say, Steelgate.
My stance on things can vary quite a lot, depending on the situation. Like with the war on terrorism, I support some parts of it, others I think are unneccersary.
Last time I took the test I was to the left and the bottom a bit. Got to go to work soon, so can't take it now.
If i know I'm right on a subject (rare, but it does hapen) then I will argue my case.
If it turns out I'm wrong about something, then I will concede the
point.
I work for Wakefield MDC, in a school supply distribution warehouse.
That was pretty much as expected, as my politics are right of center.
Since I have been eligible to vote, I have voted Conservative, which is not an easy thing to admit to round here as Wakefield is an ex-mining city with a huge Labour following.
Election time round here is always fun, as out of around 200 of my co-workers, there is only 1 other Tory......it usually ends up with not much work getting done, thanks to the arguing to the "Oh, but you must vote Labour" brigade, who then fail to come up with 1 good reason as to why I should.
I am a staunch Republican, as I refuse to to be a 'subject' of Kraut Liz and Phil The Greek, who are only (supposedly) better than us by an accident of birth.
I used to post in politics a lot, when there seemed to be more threads going on there (other than stuff about guns and political parties). I like crime and education related topics. Maybe cos I am somewhat experienced in both
I don't know where I stand on a lot of things, I can be quite left wing but also right at times too. But I like to get stuck in and have a good discussion and state my opinion and learn from others.
I tend to mainly stick to discussions around 'youth issues' as thats the area I've got most experience in and when I do drop into threads will tend to advocate from the 'childrens rights' perspective - although more to explore reactions to the idealogy it represents rather than to claim it is right over something else.
On the political compass I'm fairly left-libertarian, although in reality my political stance depends on an issue by issue basis and my philosophy in practise is generally from a pragmatic rather than fully idealogical basis.
Generally I think I am quite versed in politics.
My political views are mostly centrist in nature and I am a member of the Labour party. I am not a socialist (OK Labour today is not a socialist party anyhow), nevertheless I still believe (to a great extent) in social justice. Other than that the crux of my 'politics' lies in the limitation of inequality, freedom and meritocracy.
On that political compass test I scored 6.5 economic and 2.0 libertarian/authoritarian. It's accurate since I would describe myself as being socially liberal and economically neo-liberal.
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -5.49. I have a family history of leftism (My great grand dad gave a 16yr old Ken Livingstone a job and introduced him to the Labour party, thus bringing shame upon my family:D ). I don't support any country really, if what they are doing is right, i'll back them, but if the same country did something wrong I'd let my feelings known. I'm a member of both the Co-operative party and the Anti-Nazi League. I'm about to start an International History degree at the LSE provided I get my grades tomorrow!
Good luck!