All things political. Coronavirus Edition. (2 Viewers)

[Maxp]

I fear we are really going to be in a bad place due to the obvious cuts to the federal agencies that deal with infectious disease, but also the negative effect the Affordable Care act has had on non urban hospitals. Our front line defenses are ineffectual and our ability to treat the populous is probably at an all time low. Factor in the cost of healthcare and I can see our system crashing. What do you think about the politics of this virus?

 

[Andrus]

I've spent the last week migrating the sites to new servers, updating site software and addons at SR and here, performing fixes, trying to follow the draft, updating news, handling SR member problems, and then have to drop everything in-part because of this mess on the last few pages here.

Most of these reported posts over the weekend are primarily due to a few of you being more interested in getting under the oppositions skin than actually entering into good-faith discussion. We also have a couple of sensitive members reporting posts over what I view as slightly off-color remarks, but they see as being offensive enough to report them. We don't always agree.

Where this thread is concerned, we have a couple of members on the left complaining to us about the usage of "Wuhan Virus", and stating that it is a racist term. Then we have a few members on the right complaining about social justice warriors on the left deeming them racist for what they state is harmlessly using "Wuhan virus" when historically the location origin of the virus is typically how viruses have been named.

How are we supposed to moderate that without picking a side? Not so easy.

I will say this: You are all well aware of when you are attempting to get under the oppositions skin, and which buzzwords, terms, acronyms or phrases trigger a negative reaction from the opposition. Thinking that you are being clever injecting such terms into the discussions knowing that you are going to get a rise out of the opposition, and then acting either unaware or oblivious to the reasons for the subsequent backlash isn't fooling anyone. You all know exactly what you are doing. I strongly suggest that you all avoid using them.

We don't expect that you won't be adversarial at times, because that is inherent in politics, but what we do expect is for everyone to be reasonable, and to participate in a manner conducive to fostering an atmosphere that would be worthy of promotion, and fits our vision. So no aggressive confrontation, and the little not so clever mind games also need to stop.

When you see something out of line, report it, and then ignore it. What often happens is a member will report a post and then respond to that post, at times crossing the line themselves. Please don't do that.

You should all know the rules as well as our vision for this board, and if you don't, or cannot remember, then I suggest that you either read or re-read the MCB posting guidelines:

https://madaboutpolitics.com/Community_Discussion_Board__Posting_Rules_Guidelines.html

We are evolving, and some rules/guidelines may change, so it is important to read the MCB guidelines from time to time,

 

[Andrus]

BTW - I have been up for 26 hours. I am going to bed. I haven't deleted or moderated any posts yet, and wanted to get my above post up... and unless a mod beats me to it, I will do so later. So no PM's complaining about that, please.

Or, you can clean up your own messes.

 

[Beach Friends]

BTW - I have been up for 26 hours. I am going to bed. I haven't deleted or moderated any posts yet, and wanted to get my above post up... and unless a mod beats me to it, I will do so later. So no PM's complaining about that, please.

Or, you can clean up your own messes.

If you want to shoot me your sign on info in a PM I will clean everything up while you rest peacefully

 

[Lapaz]

Crying racism and shaming people because they say "Wuhan virus" doesn't add anything constructive either. On the contrary.

Racists are going to be racists no matter what you call this thing. And stupid people are going to be stupid no matter what you call this thing, as evidenced by the rash of physical assaults on nurses because of fear for the virus.

I agree with you that racists will be racists no matter what we call the virus, and most people are not doing it out of racists motivations, but it is still worthwhile to curb the use of the term Wuhan, because it is unnecessary and harmful. It is harmful because some people don't need much to prompt them to act on their stupidity. I don't think it is a major contributor on how people act out, but I think it is a contributor. Trump uses it to rile-up his base. That tells me a lot about how it affects people's psyche.

 

[Beach Friends]

In related news, China has added 3 new cases to it's count. The entire nation has been holding steady at about 82,800.

Anyone else suspect they might be telling a fib?

 

[Heathen]

I've never cried racist, but people are blind if they don't think folks are using the whole 'china virus/asian virus/wuhan virus' stuff to try to bait people into saying something.

Getting a reaction out of others online is down to a science these days.

It's largely a disingenuous practice. Taking the step of giving something a unique name to see what reaction it gets. I don't care what people do, but I think we all should be able to point out the obvious.

 

[Lapaz]

In related news, China has added 3 new cases to it's count. The entire nation has been holding steady at about 82,800.

Anyone else suspect they might be telling a fib?

It is extremely likely that they are lying, not only because that is an unbelievably low number of new cases, but also because they are blocking reporters from their urn sites and other sites related to deaths. China's stats are irrelevant at this point. It was only relevant in the early stages when we should've been preparing. When they delayed getting information out, it was relevant, and in the early stages when the virus spread was well documented, it was relevant, but at this point we have good evidence of our own and from many other honest countries, so we don't need their information. Everyone is extremely suspicious, so China isn't getting any benefit from lying that I can surmise, yet they do it almost out of habit. Liars almost can't help themselves. I ignore their data when I assess information about the virus.

 

[Beach Friends]

It is extremely likely that they are lying, not only because that is an unbelievably low number of new cases, but also because they are blocking reporters from their urn sites and other sites related to deaths. China's stats are irrelevant at this point. It was only relevant in the early stages when we should've been preparing. When they delayed getting information out, it was relevant, and in the early stages when the virus spread was well documented, it was relevant, but at this point we have good evidence of our own and from many other honest countries, so we don't need their information. Everyone is extremely suspicious, so China isn't getting any benefit from lying that I can surmise, yet they do it almost out of habit. Liars almost can't help themselves. I ignore their data when I assess information about the virus.

I agree that China has rendered their data largely useless by lying. It's too bad, because I doubt there are too many scientists trying to fight this who would not want honest information from the country of origin.

It's helpful now to point this data because there are some who were actually calling for the United States to implement Chinese models under the erroneous belief that China can be trusted.

I've never cried racist, but people are blind if they don't think folks are using the whole 'china virus/asian virus/wuhan virus' stuff to try to bait people into saying something.

Getting a reaction out of others online is down to a science these days.

It's largely a disingenuous practice. Taking the step of giving something a unique name to see what reaction it gets. I don't care what people do, but I think we all should be able to point out the obvious.

Again, it is helpful to appreciate how the term "Wuhan virus" came to be a naughty term. Our media routinely used that term until the POTUS used it and the CCP called it "racist."

Viruses have been known by their origin for a long time. This is not a new practice.

It is also true that this is not the first time China has used it's influence to control speech in the West. You may recall they did the same thing with the NBA about Hong Kong. They have influence over Hollywood who wants to stay in good favor so that they can peddle their products there.

China also knows that if they cry "racist" they will get the backing of a small, but very loud, portion of the American public that will unthinkingly rally around that flag.

I don't think that refusing to do China's bidding, or to abide by the wished of those who have fallen for that, is unreasonable.
Personally, I feel a duty to oppose the CCP's efforts.

It's not racist. There are Chinese people here in my neighborhood who I admire very much. They are hard working, kind and generous. I have helped them and every time I have they have found ways to go well beyond what was required to repay the favor.

BTW, I don't think it is possible to dislike the CCP more than they do.

 

[Dragon]

I agree that China has rendered their data largely useless by lying. It's too bad, because I doubt there are too many scientists trying to fight this who would not want honest information from the country of origin.

It's helpful now to point this data because there are some who were actually calling for the United States to implement Chinese models under the erroneous belief that China can be trusted.





Again, it is helpful to appreciate how the term "Wuhan virus" came to be a naughty term. Our media routinely used that term until the POTUS used it and the CCP called it "racist."

Viruses have been known by their origin for a long time. This is not a new practice.

It is also true that this is not the first time China has used it's influence to control speech in the West. You may recall they did the same thing with the NBA about Hong Kong. They have influence over Hollywood who wants to stay in good favor so that they can peddle their products there.

China also knows that if they cry "racist" they will get the backing of a small, but very loud, portion of the American public that will unthinkingly rally around that flag.

I don't think that refusing to do China's bidding, or to abide by the wished of those who have fallen for that, is unreasonable.
Personally, I feel a duty to oppose the CCP's efforts.

It's not racist. There are Chinese people here in my neighborhood who I admire very much. They are hard working, kind and generous. I have helped them and every time I have they have found ways to go well beyond what was required to repay the favor.

BTW, I don't think it is possible to dislike the CCP more than they do.

Out of respect for Andrus I will refrain from making further comments on this

 

[Beach Friends]

Out of respect for Andrus I will refrain from making further comments on this

Feel free to take it to the Mud Pitt if you have something to say that you cant say here.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

Again, it is helpful to appreciate how the term "Wuhan virus" came to be a naughty term. Our media routinely used that term until the POTUS used it and the CCP called it "racist."

Viruses have been known by their origin for a long time. This is not a new practice.

It is also true that this is not the first time China has used it's influence to control speech in the West. You may recall they did the same thing with the NBA about Hong Kong. They have influence over Hollywood who wants to stay in good favor so that they can peddle their products there.

China also knows that if they cry "racist" they will get the backing of a small, but very loud, portion of the American public that will unthinkingly rally around that flag.

I don't think that refusing to do China's bidding, or to abide by the wished of those who have fallen for that, is unreasonable.
Personally, I feel a duty to oppose the CCP's efforts.

It's not racist. There are Chinese people here in my neighborhood who I admire very much. They are hard working, kind and generous. I have helped them and every time I have they have found ways to go well beyond what was required to repay the favor.

BTW, I don't think it is possible to dislike the CCP more than they do.

Let's say that this is all 100% true. We currently have reports of people in this country being targeted for harassment because of their ethnicity. Isn't that enough of a reason to stop calling it by names that link the illness directly to people of Asian descent?

 

[RobF]

We already have the notion that it's reasonable to expect people to use people's proper names over contentious nicknames. It seems reasonable for that expectation to apply more widely. China can be, and is, criticised for its actions without use of a now obsolete term.

It's also false that the term was routinely used in the first place; it was occasionally used, but the terms in routine use have been just 'coronavirus' and, since it was named, 'covid-19', as can be seen from google trends and as I, among others, already pointed out over a month ago.

 

[First Time Poster]

Feel free to take it to the Mud Pitt if you have something to say that you cant say here.

The Mud Pit is no longer a provided option of a forum (at least I can't see it) and from what I have gathered and ascertained, part of the reason why may be due to "invitations" like this. From my perspective, I don't believe the Mud Pit was intended to be a "let's take this outside" forum. Mainly because behaviors exhibited, beefs started and words exchanged cross back over to the MCB. Not everyone can turn that vitriol on/off and even if they can, the spirit of those interactions bleed through to discussion here.

If the conversation can't be had within the confines and moderation of the MCB, then that means that, perhaps, the conversation shouldn't be had at all.

 

[SystemShock]

I agree with you that racists will be racists no matter what we call the virus, and most people are not doing it out of racists motivations, but it is still worthwhile to curb the use of the term Wuhan, because it is unnecessary and harmful. It is harmful because some people don't need much to prompt them to act on their stupidity. I don't think it is a major contributor on how people act out, but I think it is a contributor. Trump uses it to rile-up his base. That tells me a lot about how it affects people's psyche.

Point taken.

 

[Beach Friends]

We already have the notion that it's reasonable to expect people to use people's proper names over contentious nicknames. It seems reasonable for that expectation to apply more widely. China can be, and is, criticised for its actions without use of a now obsolete term.

It's also false that the term was routinely used in the first place; it was occasionally used, but the terms in routine use have been just 'coronavirus' and, since it was named, 'covid-19', as can be seen from google trends and as I, among others, already pointed out over a month ago.

That may have been false in the UK, but it was definitely in widespread use here in the U.S. right up until the CCP cried foul. The CCP is every bit as evil as Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, and perhaps more murderous than both combined. Are we going to buy into the notion that the greatest abuser of human rights in the world is really concerned about racism?

 

[FullMonte]

That may have been false in the UK, but it was definitely in widespread use here in the U.S. right up until the CCP cried foul. The CCP is every bit as evil as Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, and perhaps more murderous than both combined. Are we going to buy into the notion that the greatest abuser of human rights in the world is really concerned about racism?

I'm guessing you didn't go to the google trends link he included? It shows the terms as they were used in the United States, and breaks it out state by state as well.

 

[brandon]

Don't confuse willful stupidity with bigotry. I've seen nothing that shows the poster to be a bigot.

BF is many things. Stupid is not one of them.

 

[brandon]

Or to remind everyone it's China's fault we have to deal with this.

Remind, deflect, same thing.