JamesInFlorida
Senior Member
- Dec 18, 2010
- 1,501
- 186
- 48
You think rhetoric is bad now? Politicians have insulted and lied about their opponents since the beginning. The major difference is how the disagreements are dealt with..I prefer a return to a time where men settled their differences like Vice President Aaron Burr and former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton did back in July of 1804. Of course it would suck to be Hamilton.
First of all this is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever seen on these forums, and that says a lot.
Secondly they dueled due to a personal issue-not one on political views. Jefferson and Burr tied in the electoral college, so the vote went to the house-where Hamilton pretty much convinced enough people to vote for Jefferson over Burr-Burr got upset, and they dueled. People who lose in politics shouldn't resort to violence in our democracy. If you lose you walk out and try again in another 2, 4, or 6 years (depending on what you're running for).
I partially disagree.
Back then you didn't insult a persons honor w/o being prepared to back it up with your life. Now I think that's over board (killing over getting offended). But think back to like the 50's. If you called someone and SOB you got punched in the mouth, and learned not to call people that. Today you can say anything you want to a person and if they touch you, they get arrested and sued.
A return to getting punched in the mouth for not minding your manners is not out of line.
I actually agree with this statement. Shooting though as you pointed out is a big difference between a punch in the mouth.
But for political differences should a punch in the mouth ensue? I don't think so (and I'm not saying you said this). I think people are going too soft these days, similar to crying and suing someone as you mentioned-but also that it seems that when somebody attacks somebody else's political views-people for some reason take that as a personal attack. People on all sides of the political spectrum need to relax and realize an attack/critic on their way of political thinking isn't a personal attack.