Open Forum or GOP Thinktank?

2015-04-13T01:02:56-04:00

i read just about every question, I answer some and others I decide that I have no opinion, or my opinion is 180 degrees out of phase with everyone else who is commenting.

My question is, has this forum become a Anti-Obama machine? In the last week I've read so many mean and nasty comments in regards to our CIC, some border on scary. Is RP becoming the Fox News of Social Media? If so, I'm done. I enjoy the questions about military life, but the politics are just too much...

Disrespect of a sitting President just kinda rankles me. I might not agree with his politics, but I absolutely respect the fact a majority voted him in. He's got two terms to do good or bugger it up, but some of you act like he's the anti-Christ and that's just a bit much for me. The comments are just hate filled and I for one am just hating it. How bout we stick to military stuff and leave politics to those idiots in Washington?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 13 at 2015 8:21 AM

2015-04-13T08:21:16-04:00

Question. Would you feel the same way if a Republican were in office, or a "white guy?" I'm not insinuating anything, but one thing I've noticed on the various websites I'm on is a lot of people seem to think it's disrespectful to speak ill of Obama yet had no problem bashing he predecessor when he was in office.

One right we as Americans, particularly us veterans, have is FREEDOM OF SPEECH. If that means voicing our opinion on the POTUS, who works for us the people, so be it as it is our Constitutionally guaranteed RIGHT.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 13 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-04-13T08:29:39-04:00

I agree with you that we should all be respectful of the office and the person of the president. But (you knew it was coming) that doesn't mean I can't point out his policy failures. I hope us Rallypointers can do both at the same time.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-04-13T08:33:59-04:00

I would never say 'shut up' but I am just of wary as hearing this site being depicted as one that is against Obama. I am getting sick of hearing that, especially the ad nauseum attacks on former President George W Bush.

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made Apr 13 at 2015 8:38 AM

2015-04-13T08:38:22-04:00

I don't think he is the anti-Christ; I think he is the anti-Constitution, and yes, I have enormous disdain for the policies he advances, the arguments he uses to justify/explain his policies, and the spin he puts on the results his policies engender. I don't have any strong opinions on him as a person, but I will say I have formed an opinion on his character based on the above policies/arguments/spin.

I agree with you as far as personal attacks and name-calling go - there is no need or utility to engage in that activity as far as I'm concerned and it does tend to turn me off from a particular thread. Seems to me there are more than enough substantive issues to debate / discuss without devolving into grade-school taunting of one another.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 9:18 AM

2015-04-13T09:18:27-04:00

SGT John Wesley I'm certainly one of those people who's views are 180 degrees from yours. However, I do agree with you that President Obama won a fair and square election TWICE. Bad as that makes me feel about our country, he certainly is Mr. President, and I agree that the disrespect given him on this and a lot of other forums makes me uncomfortable. I don't believe it's right, or does anything constructive for us or our country. I'm somewhat surprised that you're surprised that a military forum tends toward the right, but on the other hand, I've never participated in a forum that had so many people who expressed what I'd consider to be left wing ideas as RP. If my political views offend you, I'm going to have to say, move along and find another place to hang out online. If it's just the virulent anger and bitterness that offends you, please stick around, just do what I do, and avoid the political discussions. You'll be hard pressed to find a single post from in any of the political or religious discussions on RP. It's like spraying Febreeze in a portajohn on a 120 degree day in Afghanistan. Kinda pointless.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 9:29 AM

2015-04-13T09:29:10-04:00

From day one negative comments about Obama have been attacked as racist. Some assuredly are. But most are the result of differing opinions on his policy.

The main problem, as I see it, is that people tend to prejudge way to often by party affiliation. If it is my party it is right. If not it is evil.

I am beginning to think we will never see the end of this because reason and logic are not allowed. I am sort of thankful I don't have long to bear it.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 13 at 2015 10:09 AM

2015-04-13T10:09:02-04:00

I'd say there is a decent minority of dissenting opinion on the site.

We do have hold each other to the standard of respect in our disagreement.

Response by SGT Edward Thomas made Apr 13 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-04-13T12:49:24-04:00

Devils advocate here, we're you as upset with the way President Bush was bashed or is it just with this president?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 10:02 PM

2015-04-13T22:02:09-04:00

SGT John Wesley, kudos to you for speaking up and expressing an opinion that not many on here seem to share these days.

I merely keep scrolling and keep these opinions to myself.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Apr 13 at 2015 10:26 PM

2015-04-13T22:26:35-04:00

I was hoping for a third option of, whatever. Typically Military members seem to sway conservative, but there are liberals out there too. As for saying anything against the President, ahh while I am not a fan of his policies or really any politicians policies, the U.S. is still here. I tend not to judge people in those positions because I am always unaware of all the facts.

I do not like politicians in general. They are out for the highest bidder in my mind. I am a declared independent. I do research on people running for what ever position, then vote for them accordingly. I look for politicians that tend toward more freedoms for individuals. Positive stride in Military personnel benefits, and General Education. Strong foreign policy for Federal position. And I always look for politicians that can show they have some common sense and won't take the easy dime. (that last one is a lot harder then you would think)

So I will give you a Here Here because out of the two choices it seems to be the most educated one.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Apr 13 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-04-13T22:27:29-04:00

I'm a libertarian so I really see fault with both major party, I don't even agree 100 percent with the libertarian party, I just know the current environment is not good for service members and I think that you see the evidence of that environment on rally point.

Response by 1SG Bob Skudlarek made Apr 14 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-04-14T17:30:03-04:00

While I don't agree with most of what the sitting president represents, he is the commander, earned the title and the title deserves the respect. If he is to be referred to as Obama, he definitely deserves the handle of "President" placed in front of it.

As far as taking issue with Foxnews, that is wrong. Fox is the only media outlet that supports a republican agenda and fairly represents those that think that way. All others (MSNBC, CNN, NBC...) continue to shout down those that oppose their agenda and trample free speech when it isn't their freedom being trampled.

Response by PO2 Glenn Altschuld made Apr 14 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-04-14T23:03:36-04:00

Personally, I think he's just that bad. The criticism should be respectful but he's earned even more than he receives. Train wreck doesn't even touch it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 1:16 AM

2015-04-15T01:16:45-04:00

I think the answer is relatively simple. Military service appeals to a certain demographic of people who by and large tend to have conservative viewpoints. There are certainly liberals within our formations but in my experience they tend to be in the extreme minority. It follows that a liberal President is not popular here.

With that being said, I don't believe individuals with "SM" next to their name should be engaging in such behaviors. I find very little in common with the President or his policies but out of professionalism I keep these views to myself. Our Veterans and Retirees, however, are free to voice their opinion however they choose. They've earned it.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Apr 16 at 2015 10:30 PM

2015-04-16T22:30:44-04:00

I wouldn't say that this site is an anti-Obama machine. I have noticed what you are talking about though. I think it is more to do with the fact that most people in the military tend to lean more toward the Conservative side of the political spectrum, myself included because the right wing has generally tried to make themselves appeal to the military more. Not saying that Democrats don't as well but the Republican party at least in my opinion expresses it more openly than the Democratic party. That and of course there are many policies and other things that President Obama has put into place that many members here disagree with. Just happens to be the majorities opinion.