I went to a GOP viewing party at a local bar tonight. I got off of work early and thought it would be cool to actually see a Planned Parenthood event up close, since the only thing I've seen in the media is hostility and one-sided reports. Since I'm poor, I didn't buy a beer, but I sat down next to my girlfriend and watched the debate in progress...
...and was completely insulted by the organizer of the program. Now, debate games are a given nowadays, especially with the rancor and incivility that plagues America's political debates. Thus, the GOP BINGO was totally fine and I played along. The sheet was filled with some of the following:
- Donald Trump mentions his wealth
- ISIS
- Israel
- Donald Trump calls someone a loser
- Men and Women in uniform, and the given
- Planned Parenthood
Now as a moderate leaning conservative, I totally understand these and the vast majority of GOP candidates deserve all of the ridicule the receive. I consider myself a Republican-in-exile. Still, I like to be informed and not just get my news from carefully selected sound clips on Facebook the next day.
The debate was surprisingly more civil than expected. Of course I don't agree with it all, but I don't agree with Bernie and Hillary all the time either. However, what got me was the constant interruptions from the event organizer, who constantly added rude commentary to the debate. In the most condescending and rude tone, comments were added such as, "oh, that counts for America, he said something nice about it.", "oh, they like science now because they are okay with solar energy", and my personal [un]favorite, when Rubio referenced the democratic transition in Myanmar/Burma, "it's called Burma, he can't even get the name right!".
You know what lady, I don't know you nor your story, but I can honestly say my impression of Planned Parenthood just went down the tube because of you. You not only continually insulted the intelligence of the people in attendance by assuming they couldn't make their own opinion and are all just drones to one candidates' political ideology, be it Bernie, Hillary, or someone else, but you did so in such a snarky, condescending way that you assumed you were 100% right. Worse, you didn't even give yourself time to think about some of the valid points that were brought up, especially considering the rights of women.
The topic of rights in the middle east was brought up. You made fun of the Republicans for that, namely because they used the term "Arab". Really? That's it? Trump's Islamophobia is despicable and should be ignored, but you wouldn't even stop to consider some of the valid points that were brought up? About the status of women in many Middle Eastern countries? About the lack of protection for LGBT peoples' in the area and outright persecution in others? Or about how there are many, many good and peaceful Muslims that hate to see their faith hijacked and used for terror? You're going to mock that because a guy with an (R) behind his name said it? Screw you, lady. You're the reason our politics are so vile.
You made jokes at their expense when they started naming countries with statements like, "oh, they know geography now!" and other non-issues. Lady, these people are not idiots. Ted Cruz, a man I loathe, is an incredibly smart man who was a Supreme Court clerk and argued many cases and worked with many justices. John Kasich has been in politics for decades and has worked across the isle on many issues. No, I don't agree with him defunding Planned Parenthood in Ohio, but that goes to show that no politician is perfect and you shouldn't agree 100% with any candidate. Even Donald Trump, the loudmouth bigot of American politics, is a very smart man who knows exactly what he is doing and how to accomplish his goals, which unfortunately for the American public are not very good.
You assume just because everyone there is at a Planned Parenthood event that they automatically vote (D). You are wrong. There are plenty of moderates and conservatives that support PP and their efforts, but asses like you just rub everyone the wrong way. I wasn't drinking because of the debate, I was drinking every time you made some smart-ass comment. That was the true travesty - the death of voter decency. We can't force the candidates to be mature and civil, but we as informed voters surely can get ourselves to be.
The fact this was sponsored by Planned Parenthood is disgusting. I support PP in their efforts to educate people on sex. I think the best way to avoid pregnancy and abortion is prevention. This event, however, reinforced some stereotypes that PP is a liberal organization funded by the government and that tries to hold sway in politics. That is not your job, PP - stay out of politics.
Oh, and lady, you are literally the exact stereotype of the feminists that everyone likes to make fun of. I'm sure you're fine outside of politics, but you are nasty within it. Please stay out and stick to helping women and men within the contexts of your job.
Of course, I'll be there at the Democratic Debate watch party with the bingo cards including "Hillary's misdeeds" and "Bernie promises something free". On second thought, I doubt you'll even be fair enough to give something like that even a thought...but hey, because a democrat says something, it's totally okay, right?
Signed,
An angry moderate
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| Aforementioned stereotypical feminist (credit) |
