I want to say some positive things before whatever happens in the coming months

[Specter Von Baren]

Specifically I want to talk to the people that I don't always see eye to eye on when it comes to political matters, but I'll also include other people if I have something that's (Maybe, I think anyway) deep to say. These are all based on my impressions of you from how you act here on the forums though, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm way off the mark from how you are in real life.

@BrawlMan
I like that you speak your mind. While it's not my inherent nature to be as direct, and perhaps brash, as you are, I like that you say exactly how you feel and don't care about the bullshit. I hope that you will keep being this way and not ever be forced to hold your tongue when speaking your mind.

@lil devils x
I meant what I said before, you should write a book. From what you've said here, it's clear that you've experienced a lot in your life, and not all of it good, but I think writing about it, putting it down on paper so that others can see the road you've walked and the things you've experienced would do a lot of good for changing hearts and minds. It doesn't even have to be something you do for monetary reasons, even if it's just a side project that you do for the rest of your life and only sees the wider world after you've passed on (Hopefully after a long long time) then I think that would be a great thing.

@ObsidianJones
I think you should also write a book. You seem to have a lot of experiences that standout to you and I think you should tell people about them. Moreover, I think you should be doing some kind of public work of some kind. If even half of the things you've typed on these forums before has been completely off the cuff, then I can say emphatically that you have a silver tongue and should be using it. It's selfish of me to say, but while the circumstances for it were not good ones, I'm glad that you haven't moved out of the country. I think you have the passion and heartfelt feelings to make a difference in the world with your words.

@Eacaraxe
I most assuredly don't agree with your stance on a certain political philosophy, but I respect you for your knowledge of history and what's currently going on in the world. And when it comes to your philosophy, I also respect that you stick to it rather than muddle it up with all the gobbledygook the modern politics has.

@Gethsemani
Geth, I've seen you as one of the most respectable people here with how you discuss things. You keep a cool head in the debates we've had and more often than not don't dig your heels in and get bogged down in partisanship on your views.

@Revnak
We don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I will say that when I'm not on the receiving end of it, I find your abrupt "No you" attitude refreshing.

@Kae
I don't think you should be so harsh on yourself. Yes, these forums aren't real life, and you say that you don't think well of yourself, but I think someone that can be chill and funny like you must have good things they can do in the world and with others. The world sucks, but I think anyone can bring out their potential to make it less so.

@Agema
You're a very knowledgeable person and like Geth, I feel like you've usually held yourself to a good standard when it comes to debates here. I hope that you are like that in real life and continue to be so, especially because of your profession, having someone like you in the position you occupy is good for those learning and trying to find their way in the world.

I hope that whatever happens in the future, whether the sky falls on us or nothing happens at all, that all of us can at least do the best we can and be the best that we are. Thank you for your time.

 

[BrawlMan]

I like that you speak your mind. While it's not my inherent nature to be as direct, and perhaps brash, as you are, I like that you say exactly how you feel and don't care about the bullshit. I hope that you will keep being this way and not ever be forced to hold your tongue when speaking your mind.

Sometimes you have be blunt. I have more subtle moments in real life, but if is something super serious, I cut straight to the point. I was not expecting this, but thank you.

You're a cool person. You have a wonderful evening and Halloween. Never let anyone shame you for enjoying whatever you watch or play.

 

[ObsidianJones]

We're going to all need some positivity in our lives after Tuesday. Even if "my side" wins, it kills me that I feel like I need a side I have to fight a war on. That isn't who I am. It's not what I'm about.

Contrary to what people might think, I don't want Republicans to lose. I don't want anyone to feel like they lost. I, in fact, hope for a joining of ideas that helps America as a people and as a nation. The Races that comprise it. The Faiths and Beliefs that fuel it. The Sciences and Innovations that we are known for. I used to believe in the American Spirit. I used to be full of wonder when I heard "U.S.A! U.S.A!"

It actually energized me. Filled me with the energy I knew I must use to help all people, not just Americans because that was my birthright and I was going to honor it.

As evidenced by my disappointment that I couldn't move to Canada, suffice to say that has changed.

The American idea isn't about commerce. It can not be measured by a GDP. While it never succeed on its own PR, a place of Opportunity and Wonder which all Humankind is considered Equal, by everything I love, I wanted it to be that very place.

I don't see that now. I don't see it with people willing and able to explain away injustices. Or telling people to look at tragedies for another perspective. That Obsidian who felt his calling being an Emissary for Truth and Justice that was embodied by his nation... well, he grew up. He learned of Spin. PR is a hell of a drug.

I do still believe in Truth and Justice. Every human being that has ever walked has some value. Even people I find distasteful. If I have to make additions to the table that everyone can sit at it and eat side by side with a welcoming populace, yes, I want to put in that work.

That's why I said again I don't want Republicans to lose on Tuesday. I can not say I want the President to have four more years of this, but I don't want Republicans to feel like they lost if he doesn't stay on. I will take no pleasure in their disappointment. I feel even with a change of power, we're in for a bumpy, hard road. But at least it is a bumpy, hard road towards some kind of healing.

I will be dead before America can get to where its PR wants it to be. If I have children, they might be old before it even begins to get there. But I can say we will take steps towards that America when we fill our citizens' hearts with the shared responsibility for each one of us. Money and riches are a concept. The person next door is real.

Americans of all backgrounds, Citizens of the World from all Backgrounds... Utopia is fiction because there will never be a perfect world where everything is handed to us. But there can be a world that is better than the one we're in now if all of us work to make it so. It will be a lifetime commitment, from the day we develop our own identities to the last day we're surrounded by our loved ones. But we can look at those faces and realize all we've done for them, and the world they will continue to touch.

And that's all I can say. Be safe, everyone. We must change for the better, that everyone truly benefits from it. Thank you Specter for making this thread.

 

[Trunkage]

Specter, I generally only have problems with what you say when your reading from a script. You’re much smarter and have more nuance than the rhetoric that’s handed to you. It’s hard not listening to ‘your side’ but you do it regularly enough for me to thank you for it. Like, it’s clear that you’re a conservative but that doesn’t mean that you always support Trump. Or even toe ‘normal’ conservative lines. I think you’re aware that following Trump is just Identity Politics, even if you might not be able to articulate that

Thanks for trying to stand on your own two feet and not relying on what others say to determine your stance

 

[Agema]

Thank you for your kind words.

* * *

What I would urge everyone to remember is that whilst it is wise to prepare for the worst, we should not always expect the worst. It's very easy for people to hype up how important this is, that we may face chaos and disaster, but they often don't do so out of a calm reflection of the facts. The USA is still a relatively stable country where the vast majority have no appetite for riots and mass insurrection; when the results gradually trickle in, for all the talk, whilst there may be legal challenges and some wild words to get past they will almost certainly accept the chips as they fall and get on with it.

 

[Revnak]

Love the people close to you. The dull, monotonous drone of suffering will only mildly increase in overall volume in the coming months. Perhaps the odds you will be on the receiving end of that suffering will increase, perhaps not, but it was always a gamble, and it’s likely that in the greater scheme of things the odds shifted less than you think. I learned from my own mistake of focusing on the potential “apocalyptic” events to come that in the end it is less of a shift in odds and volume than a shift towards some better world would ever be. That in working toward something better you do more to shift the mean than any tragic inevitabilities do. The momentum is in one direction, but one day that will change, if we’re stubborn enough about it, if we demand better. I’m unsure how relevant this is, but I hope it is some comfort.

 

[Fieldy409]

I think you yanks need to see this video right now and chill. So here's a funny little man in a silly hat who cooks 18th century food to tell you it'll be okay.


I remember even as a non American seeing Donald Trump elected horrified me so badly that I stayed up all night staring at the ceiling. I think a lot of the world worries about American elections due to their big influence in world politics and raw military power. I was genuinely terrified that some crazy war and disaster was coming. I was actually convinced Trump would have invaded Mexico to make them pay for the wall and kicked off WW3. But life went on, bad things happened but people still survive and things go on. I thought that a nazi fascist had just been given control of the worlds strongest military and the world was in trouble. It was the first USA election I'd seen as an adult old enough to pay attention on the internet where a conservative was elected but as a young adult my understanding still sucked. I imagine if Biden wins which seems likely,

I'll feel relieved but many people who feel the opposite will be also terrified of what's to come, especially people who fell for the hype on the internet and have been convinced that Biden is the devil. The internet is terrible for inducing this political anxiety in many people. I think everyone will need to learn to chill out about it, do what you actually can like vote and then let go of what they can't control and stop worrying about politics, you can't be worried sick for four straight years it simply isn't sustainable or healthy. I hope everyone feels okay no matter what happens.