OT: Politics

[CUnknown]

Something I wanted to mention in that other thread, so I'll do it here. I long for the USA to return to something approaching isolationism. Far from being America's problem, I think that ending our non-stop wars across the planet would be a solution to what ails us. And for what ails the rest of the world, for that matter.

[UncleYee]

More traditional hardcore wargamers tend to be wonderful people but knee-jerk conservatives. I wonder if fantasy hardcore wargamers are a more liberal-leaning bunch. What do you think?

If we are, why? Tolkien, who if I understand it denied that his writings had an overt political leanings, none the less painted a very simple black and white world. Though it had a much warmer heart, in a way LotR presents choices as simply as that 300 movie; war is the the choice of the valiant, talk of peace comes from traitors and fools. This is a very right-wing way to evaluate the world, and is still the message coming from our US President.

So maybe there's some other hidden liberal influence. What are Gary Gygax's politics like?

Or am I off-base, and fantasy wargamers are indeed as conservative as traditional wargamers? Then I'm just spinning my wheels.

[quantum_mechani]

I don't know about in general fantasy war gamers, but I'd say the dominions community is more than a little left-leaning from an american perspective. Largely, I would guess, because such a large percntage (even an majority?) are European.

There is also the fact that the Dominions setting tends to weed out the hardcore Christians.

[tromper]

I still can't tell whether I'm a Green or a Socialist, and am from the US. So I'm an independent. Labels are so droll.

But arguing politics in this forum is really just the sign of people waiting on new posts to read or an MP game to finish another turn. Kind of heartening, if sad, in a way.

Dominions does indeed give weed to hardcore Christians, quantum_mechanic, after all, there's no other way to get them to play. Lucky bums.

[CUnknown]

I agree about traditional hardcore wargamers being conservative, in general. Also that fantasy gamers are more middle of the road, at least. I'm not sure where that comes from exactly, but I don't think it's Gary Gygax, although he could be liberal, for all I know. I've never recognized any political message in Gygaxs' works one way or the other. Not that it's not there, just that I haven't seen it.

[Gandalf Parker]

Historically there are many examples of invading people for their own good, and how well that works. When will we learn the "prime directive"?

In the other thread I was hoping someone would call me to bear for my american comments and "many of our critisizers are americans with a long list of qualifications for being able to critisize". Im a politican magnet. Im a native US citizen, registered, graduate, a home owner, a family man, vietnam vet and retired military.

But as far as politices, Im a member of the "toggle switch" party. I made that up. I dont think either of them are right enough to be in power for too long so I recommend switching them out on a regular basis to minimize damage.

Gandalf Parker

[johnarryn]

Umber Hulks are clearly thinly-disguised representations of Dick Cheney. Clear as day. Gygax is obviously part of an anti-Bush conspiracy.

[MaxWilson]

Gygax may not have been big on politics, but a sure sign of a Gygax reader is an encyclopedaic knowledge of polearms.

-Max

[Evil Dave]

Gandalf Parker said:
Historically there are many examples of invading people for their own good, and how well that works.

Yeah, the French never quite forgave us for invading during the '40s.

[Foodstamp]

Gandalf Parker said:
Historically there are many examples of invading people for their own good, and how well that works. When will we learn the "prime directive"?

In the other thread I was hoping someone would call me to bear for my american comments and "many of our critisizers are americans with a long list of qualifications for being able to critisize". Im a politican magnet. Im a native US citizen, registered, graduate, a home owner, a family man, vietnam vet and retired military.

But as far as politices, Im a member of the "toggle switch" party. I made that up. I dont think either of them are right enough to be in power for too long so I recommend switching them out on a regular basis to minimize damage.

Gandalf Parker

I think you were trying to bait me in that other thread. The reason I did not respond was pretty simple. I have found over the years that people who criticize or hate this country would criticize or hate this country if it was 72 degrees outside and pineapples and sugar were the major industries.

You either like the United States or you don't. If our country changed to accommodate the desires of the vocal, those people would still find reasons to hate our country, I base this on the fact they always have no matter who has been in office nor which party the president belonged to.

To give you an example. I listened to 8 years of Clinton bashing from my family when he was president. He was the Antichrist to hear them talk about it. When Bush took office, he became the new Antichrist and Clinton became JFK and his term became Camelot.

I am a strong believer in my country. I don't prescribe to a political party because I think doing so is throwing in your lot so to speak, abandoning your own political ideas and supporting the ideas of that party instead.

Liberals will whine from birth until they are on their death beds no matter how good life has been to them. Conservatives will never show tolerance or agree to compromise in any form.

Turn off your television and start thinking for yourself. Or you will end up whiny or narrow minded the rest of your life