Does Political Talk Ever Make You Want To Scream?
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Last night I was nearly overwhelmed by the number of tweets and links to blog posts that were - ‘ahem’ - opinionated to say the least about Republican VP Nominee Sarah Palin and her speech given at the RNC.
As a conservative voter - I don’t expect liberal voters to agree with me or like the Republican nominees. We have different world views so I expect that we will have different opinions about each other’s candidates. But truly - some of the commentary passing through my Twirl reader was so mean spirited it took my breath away.
Liberals don’t own the copyright on mean spirited talk. Plenty of folks on ‘my side’ of the political fence have crossed the line from discussing issues to attacking people personally as well. I don’t like it any better when it’s aimed at those I disagree with.
I am very opinionated and willing to go to bat for my views - but I choose to spend my time telling you why I stand for what I do and not waste any breath in attacking what you stand for.
Do you know what happened last night? I lost respect for a few people. Not because they disagree with me - I respect (and even occasionally enjoy) disagreement! I lost respect for them because they were just plain mean.
After sorting through my feelings about the opinions shared on Twitter last night it was so fitting that my guest blog post came out on Michael Martine’s blog this morning!
It’s all about being opinionated on your blog. I think the same thoughts and advice can definitely be applied to sharing opinions on Twitter and other social sites.
So tell me Mom… how do the political tweets and blog posts from people you normally only hear business talk from effect your views of them?
Do you enjoy and respect the glimpse into the person’s personal views?
Do you get offended?
Does it make you want to ‘do business elsewhere?’
Or do you compartmentalize the issues and not let it affect you one way or another?
Kelly McCausey worked hard for others for many years and never made ends meet.
Now this single mom enjoys the freedom that comes from working hard for herself as an internet marketer, podcaster
and WAHM business coach. Host of 
I don’t get offended when someone attacks me or someone else, but I can get pretty annoyed. I was annoyed with a lot of the mean-spirited stuff that people were saying. And I don’t even like Sarah Palin or Cindy McCain or agree with any of their political views.
However, I did notice something very interesting: The speakers at the RNC, in general, engaged in more personal attacks on their opponents than speakers at the DNC. And Sarah Palin showed herself right in line with the old political standby of belittling your opponent without saying much of actual substance. Her delivery was great, and there is no doubt that she is a very good and engaging speaker, but she went for the jeers and whoops at Obama’s expense more than anything else.
Mirandas last blog post..I Don’t CARE About Sarah Palin’s Daughter. Let’s Talk Issues.
I agree alot of the mean spirited talk last night made me do a few deletions from my twitter that was for sure. I don’t want to follow people like that any day!
Alyssas last blog post..Let Them Sleep in the Middle
I think I’ve managed to stay away from the mean spirited twitterers, but I have no problem deleting people from my list should it get ugly.
Differing political views doesn’t make me want to do business elsewhere. But if someone should attack me because of what I believe that would make me move on. Attacking me and attacking the issues are two different things.
Tsonikis last blog post..Dishtowel Crafts
Personally, I don`t get involved in politics. I don`t live in my home country and I don`t really find it exciting. So I just ignore all those nasty comments.
I’ve only deleted one person over politics and that was after she posted a link to her latest blog post and when I visited her blog, I saw nothing but editorial cartoons about Obama’s race and religion and personal attacks on Democrats as a whole, not just Obama. But, honestly, it was no big loss because she was one of those “me, me, me” Tweeters anyway, rarely replying to other people.
But if its someone I respect, think highly of, admire, or consider a friend, that’s not going to change because I find out they support McCain or they think its great that he chose Palin as VP.
As long as someone is staying focused on the issues and not attacking someone’s race or gender or family status, I respect their opinion and their right to express it. Its not what they say, its how they say it. (I do admit, I prefer to have a little humor thrown in.)
If I only did business with people who agreed with me on everything from politics to religion to parenting, I would be a very lonely person.
Aprils last blog post..The New American Dream
My favorite part of the article is not to settle personal scores on your own blog.
It’s maybe going to increase a buzz to see what happens next but you could come accross as spiteful and nasty which is about the last feelings you want to associate with you and your blog.
Quality as always appreciated by a wahd.
I respect everyone’s right to have an opinion and, unless they were being vicious and extremely radical in their attacks, I would not allow it to influence my decision to do business with them.
It’s how you prove yourself as a business person that counts with me. Your political views are YOUR views. If someone chooses not to do business with me because of the way I think, I would say that would be their loss.
I love reading opposing views. Who knows? I might just learn something in the process.
Beverly Mahones last blog post..Happy Grandparents Day
I respect everyone’s right to different political views, but definitely would not want to do business with someone who uses politics as an excuse to voice mean-spirited, prejudiced and excessively ugly personal attacks. For example, I really don’t think Palin’s daughter should be part of political conversation. But that’s just me.
Laurie/Halo Secretarials last blog post..Approval of Legal Outsourcing
I think it’s more important than ever to engage in political debates and discussions since our economy and foreign policy are going to be greatly impacted in the next 4 years. It’s very important, more than ever, to choose a candidate that can do the job, and most importantly, do it honestly.
I have to agree with Miranda. I’ve been quite disappointed with the McCain/Palin response. The lastest ad against Obama is actually one of the lowest and probably the most desperate ads I think I’ve seen. It just shows how nasty politics can be. I definitely think everyone is free to have their views. We obviously all want to the same outcome, we want the best for America. But both parties need to stay on the issues (one party, I feel is doing a better job of staying on issues) because in the end, the American people lose.
Susans last blog post..Apollo
I think unless their comments were directed to you, there is no reason to lose respect for others who voice their opinions. As a conservative voter, I’m sure you’ve said some things about Clinton or Obama in the absence of an audience, and I’m sure if we knew some of the things you’ve thought about the candidate that is not yours, we’d know you were human just like us. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everybody should just agree to disagree.
I said some things about Palin - I don’t remember if they were mean but I definitely was thankful that some of my fellow Twitter friends were there to BS about it with. If we can’t have an open conversation on a social networking site, where can we have it??
I think what’s worse than voicing your opinion is A) not having one, and B) discriminating against others because of theirs. I don’t engage in political discrimination. Meaning, if you’re conservative and I’m not, who cares. I don’t think it’s rude to say Palin is a terrible VP choice, but I think it would be rude to say you’re stupid if you don’t agree with me. (Not that I think that, just trying to make the point!)
By the way, just because someone isn’t conservative or voting Republican doesn’t automatically make them a liberal…
Yes. It has turned me off quite a bit. I can’t believe how many times I’ve seen the same few twitterers tweet blog posts about how much Sarah Palin sucks…
I’ve had a few opportunities lately to post about the democratic side but haven’t. I don’t feel there would be anything good to come of it so why do it?
I almost unfollowed a few people on my twitter list that I had a lot of respect for. And if it keeps up I will. Makes me sad. All the bitterness of these tweets about Sarah not only confuse me but make me feel unsure about the twitterer now.
I was in Ireland a few weeks ago and even though much of my family is in Europe and I love them I was a bit apalled at the rude folks who came up to me to say, “You are an American who are you going to vote for Obama?” That would never happen here in person yet . . . online I have seen much of the same rudeness. I think being entitled to have my own opinion is a beautiful thing . . . sharing it with grace is an art. I hope we can all respect each others beautiful gifts. I really think having a women candidate is quite refreshing and gives us all something to discuss . . . as well as the many more pertinent and relevant issues!