• TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    The entire structure of your argument(s) around why we have to support Biden in-spite of his flaws is series of apologist arguments. The principal of supporting something in-spite of its flaws is the fundamental basis of apologetics. Its the basis of your entire argument, that Biden is a flawed candidate, but in-spite of this we need to support him, because the alternative is far worse. And in principal I agree with the sentiment, however, the actual act of engaging in apologetic has the opposite effect. The apologetics being used to argue in favor of Biden have made him a weaker candidate, not a stronger one. Defending the indefensible just makes you look like a cheerleader for something deeply wrong, which is what I’m calling you out for. Continuing to engage in apologetics on behalf of Biden is weakening him as a candidate, and I don’t want him to lose this election. Biden is accountable for his shoddy record over the previous four years. The buck stops with him.

    Holding him accountable in media and conversation forces him to respond and thereby makes him a stronger candidate, because instead of obscuring your weakness, you have to address them. Hiding weakness doesn’t stop it from existing. Blaming congress or the SC while Biden sits at the helm just makes him look less qualified to do the job. Alternatively, we can be critical of Biden and force him to move on policy positions, to stronger, more defensible positions. In this way we can force him to be a better candidate going into the general election.

    I also sincerely doubt you would say that so someone you were in the same room with.

    Oh I have, and I assure you, its insufferable (if you couldn’t figure that out). I’ll call you out as coward, or a apologist, or racist, whatever I need to say. I have little interest in the polities of society if they are used to defend the indefensible. The buck stops with me, and I am accountable for the way I conduct myself, for better or for worse. There are tables I’m not invited back to because of this, and I do not mind. Its a badge of honor to not be invited back (imo) to a polite table with fascists and their apologists. I do not give apologists a pass, be them racist, bigots, fascists, or otherwise.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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      7 months ago

      Please tell me about the time you called someone a genocide apologist to their face, because I don’t believe you.

      In fact, I don’t believe you’ve called people any of the other things to their face either, unless you don’t have any teeth left.

      It’s not about politeness, it’s about not being stupid enough to provoke someone into physically assaulting you. And I don’t believe you’re that stupid.

      But please, prove me wrong. Tell me about the time you called me a genocide apologist to their face.

      I’m going to make a prediction: Like everything else I’ve asked of you, you’ll ignore my request and give me a rude and insulting lecture instead.

      (Don’t forget to downtvote this post so I’ll learn my lesson.)

      • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        It was at a pau hana a couple weeks ago. I called out a neighbor on this. I also called them a coward when the didn’t want to share some of their more ‘problematic’ opinions on immigrants, gay and trans rights, and abortion. Beyond the scope of this conversation, but if you have an opinion you aren’t willing to share publicly because its that ‘problematic’, then you are a coward. You don’t get to hide behind civility to shroud your racism or bigotry, at least not around me.

        And I’m not at all afraid of physical confrontation. I’ve stood face to face against proud boys and white nationalists from Portland to dc. I’ve taken the punches and drank the tear gas. No mind. We have to stand up against bigotry and hatred where ever we find it, and with physical confrontation if need be.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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          7 months ago

          A couple of weeks ago. Convenient.

          I’ve stood face to face against proud boys and white nationalists from Portland to dc.

          Sure. You travel the country from Oregon to the nation’s capital fighting fascists wherever you go, and now you’re in Hawaii, the center of the fascist machine, fighting the good fight by supposedly insulting your neighbor.

          Definitely very believable. You’re super tough.

          By the way, you forgot to downvote my previous post. How will I know I’m a bad person if you don’t downvote me?

          • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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            7 months ago

            You asked a question and I answered you. Not sure what else you want. Its not clear any answer would be acceptable to you but there it is.

            You done?

            • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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              7 months ago

              Weird that the one question you answered was the one where you could brag about how big and tough you were and not the one which would have clearly shown that a president is not all-powerful based on your own example.

                • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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                  7 months ago

                  I might have an answer for my approach on apologetics or its consequences, but you’d have to answer my question about congress and you refuse to do that.

                  • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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                    7 months ago

                    I might have an answer for my approach on apologetics or its consequences

                    I don’t think you do. I think you just talk and spin wheels. I don’t think you’ve done the introspection necessary to have an answer.