Note To Future Politicians: Being A Geek Can Only Hurt You If You Let It

[shadowmagus]

I'm glad this guy stood up and said "yeah I'm a gamer. What about it?" It's nice to see.

In other news, the more I read articles by this guy, the less inclined I am to read more.

 

[MrMan999]

How much do you guys want to bet that the guy plays a Ventrue character?

 

[Bradeck]

This isn't your typical nerd, no need to defend him. His past involvements are FAR worse then this article leads one to believe.

Please view this piece by TYT for the real story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX5vrJGcSnQ

 

[Greg Tito]

FYI

I've removed the more inflammatory language which was originally in this post. We usually give a lot of leeway to our writers to express their opinions on news, but I felt a line was crossed by using epithets. We'll continue to keep a keen eye on our news and revise when necessary. Thank you to those readers who pointed out this post to me.

 

[LysanderNemoinis]

As a practicing Christian

What does that have to do with ANYTHING here? Would anything change if he was a practicing Muslim? Do Jews enjoy being harangued over their choice of hobby? Would there be any particular difference if "Mormon," "Red Sox Fan," "Pro Wrestler" or "lesbian?"

(Don't take this as mocking Christians or anyone else listed. The statement popped out me and baffled me)

Actually, it does. If he was a Muslim, no one would be attacking him for his hobbies, because if you say ANYTHING against a Muslim, you'll be labeled an islamophobe so fast it'll make your head spin. Same if someone was gay. I don't think Red Sox fans are a protected class, but Mormons sure as hell are not.

 

[LysanderNemoinis]

FYI

I've removed the more inflammatory language which was originally in this post. We usually give a lot of leeway to our writers to express their opinions on news, but I felt a line was crossed by using epithets. We'll continue to keep a keen eye on our news and revise when necessary. Thank you to those readers who pointed out this post to me.

Well, good on you for knowing that he crossed the line with some of his language, but I'm split on your decision. I almost would have preferred if his bigotry was left ass is so people know that in the future, they won't get pure news from him. I believe that bias is something that once it begins to slip through, will continue to do so.

Just like if there's a conservative involved in the production of a movie Bob's reviewing, I know I can't take his word if the movie's good or not, because he's proven before that his political bias prevents him from admitting a good movie is actually good...or at the very least, he'll devote half the time to going on a political harangue. The more I think about it, it might just be better for everyone to get their political leanings out in the open, so we know where people stand and who we can actually trust. I, for one, know that almost no one on these forums listens to me or takes me seriously, so what the hell. Go politically nuts, everyone.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

As politically biased as your article is I enjoyed it. It shows that these people we are electing can be human and have hobbies. That's something we need, a face to these individuals.

 

[Verlander]

Gutted that the original article was edited. The Republican Party in the US outright celebrates it's exclusion and lust for societal control and segregation. More than that though, the writer was entitled to his opinions. This is a forum that explodes every time Scary Sarkeesian pops up, or whenever anything else triggers nerd rage (Facebook/oculus anyone?). There's no way to report on a politician and not inspire butt hurt. Might as well let the writer say it straight, the result will be the same.

OT: Watching Republicans battle over the same seat is like watching a wasp land on a nettle; one is gonna get stung and it doesn't matter who

 

[cikame]

"As a practicing Christian, I am deeply offended that the opposing campaign and their supporters would take a gaming and theatre hobby and mischaracterize it"

I fail to see how that has anything to do with being a christian.
Why can't politicians say something like "what, it's fun, i don't see the problem".

 

[SilverStuddedSquirre]

As politically biased as your article is I enjoyed it. It shows that these people we are electing can be human and have hobbies. That's something we need, a face to these individuals.

It is my understanding of American politics that you are not allowed to be both a leader and a Human Being. All displays of Humanity, or personality must be crushed beneath the Boot Hell of the American Moral Code. ( Well, the Christan one, but we wont open THAT can of worms today)

I mean, this guy get shit all over for playing tabletop role-playing games, and LARP. Contrast this with Senator Yee: the Hypocritical fuck-stick who decries Violent video games publicly, tries to have Laws passed against them, all the while breaking just about every other law that can be broken, to the extent that he would fit right into a Grand Theft Auto title. It seems like as long as your country can point to some shining ideal of a blank-slate Angel Archetype, so far removed from the human experience as to not need to expel shyte from their ass, they are perfectly willing to let that angel be Lucifer. Just so long as he wears the white robe, glues feathers to his wings, and says things like "Gay marriage and Violent Video Games are bad M'kay. Reasons."

I also completely agree with you. Leaders should be elected because they are Human Beings ( with all flaws and foibles accepted) with good leadership skills, and solid Ideas as to how to make their country / city / municipality a better place to live. Not based on which board games they happened to play.

 

[SilverStuddedSquirre]

"As a practicing Christian, I am deeply offended that the opposing campaign and their supporters would take a gaming and theatre hobby and mischaracterize it"

I fail to see how that has anything to do with being a christian.
Why can't politicians say something like "what, it's fun, i don't see the problem".

Because in America, you are automatically awarded points in any argument for saying "God" or "Christian" and somehow tying this to yourself. Sort of like how some people feel that by holding a Bible in the Air, everything you say is not only true, but the Word of God Himself.

 

[LysanderNemoinis]

"As a practicing Christian, I am deeply offended that the opposing campaign and their supporters would take a gaming and theatre hobby and mischaracterize it"

I fail to see how that has anything to do with being a christian.
Why can't politicians say something like "what, it's fun, i don't see the problem".

Because in America, you are automatically awarded points in any argument for saying "God" or "Christian" and somehow tying this to yourself. Sort of like how some people feel that by holding a Bible in the Air, everything you say is not only true, but the Word of God Himself.

I see it more as a way to be offended. I mean, it today's society if you happen to be straight, white, and male, you are not allowed to be offended by anything, no matter what anyone says or does to you. The only way a straight white male can be allowed to be offended is by being a Christian (which doesn't help too much as then you get a ton of shit for believing in God), but at least it's something.

 

[SilverStuddedSquirre]

"As a practicing Christian, I am deeply offended that the opposing campaign and their supporters would take a gaming and theatre hobby and mischaracterize it"

I fail to see how that has anything to do with being a christian.
Why can't politicians say something like "what, it's fun, i don't see the problem".

Because in America, you are automatically awarded points in any argument for saying "God" or "Christian" and somehow tying this to yourself. Sort of like how some people feel that by holding a Bible in the Air, everything you say is not only true, but the Word of God Himself.

I see it more as a way to be offended. I mean, it today's society if you happen to be straight, white, and male, you are not allowed to be offended by anything, no matter what anyone says or does to you. The only way a straight white male can be allowed to be offended is by being a Christian (which doesn't help too much as then you get a ton of shit for believing in God), but at least it's something.

Yeah, I can agree there. I was hit from behind by a driver some years ago. In my province, the law states that ANY and ALL occurrences in FRONT of your vehicle, are YOUR responsibility to avoid.

The insurance company (there is only one in British Columbia, Canada) told me that the collision was MY fault because the Chart said so. They literally pulled out a chart, which clearly demonstrated that because I was Caucasian, male, and Under the age of 25, the collision was my fault. Utterly stunned, I declared the company racist and lowered up. During the 4 year argument, I finally one in the most ridiculous way you could Imagine. Banking on the ridiculous spinelessness of Canada when it comes to enforcing our National languages, I asked if the Lady who hit me could please read, in English or French, the line from the Driving pamphlet stating that everything in front of you is your responsibility to avoid. She was not able to.
I then used the Unicorn Argument, which I usually reserve for Creationists. ME - "If she slams on her brakes because she saw a Unicorn and I hit her from behind, am I at fault?" ICBC- "Yes, absolutely."
ME - "So if she hits me from behind, because I have slowed down, put my left blinker on, and am waiting to turn left into a driveway, I am at fault?" ICBC - "Er..well, according to our chart..." At which point my Rawer said the words "Supreme Court" and I was promptly issued the maximum pay out of $25,000.

So yes, we white males have to take some shit on the chin with regards to these things. However, the pendulum was so far in the OTHER direction, that it has to swing almost that far against us, before it can balance out. At the very end of it, we STILL will never be treated as poorly as our ancestors treated the rest of the world.
We are allowed to be offended, but we have to be VERY clear about what and why, because there are far to many ass-hats who look just like us running organizations like the KKK, Wesboro Baptist Church and the Boy Scouts. And THESE idiots are on International Television.

 

[The_Echo]

Got in here after the edit, but it sounds like maybe this guy shouldn't be representing the Escapist.

I remember him posting another article(?) that was also heavily biased not long ago.

 

[Verlander]

I see it more as a way to be offended. I mean, it today's society if you happen to be straight, white, and male, you are not allowed to be offended by anything, no matter what anyone says or does to you. The only way a straight white male can be allowed to be offended is by being a Christian (which doesn't help too much as then you get a ton of shit for believing in God), but at least it's something.

Be careful, it's nonsense like that which undermines genuine issues men face today. Men, particularly republicans, get offended and demand apologies for nearly everything they don't agree with, for instance.

 

[SilverStuddedSquirre]

I see it more as a way to be offended. I mean, it today's society if you happen to be straight, white, and male, you are not allowed to be offended by anything, no matter what anyone says or does to you. The only way a straight white male can be allowed to be offended is by being a Christian (which doesn't help too much as then you get a ton of shit for believing in God), but at least it's something.

Be careful, it's nonsense like that which undermines genuine issues men face today. Men, particularly republicans, get offended and demand apologies for nearly everything they don't agree with, for instance.

Yeah, this. Very true, and very sad. Especially in light of something a stand up comic said, which I feel is quite true. (Louis CK I think, may be dead wrong)

"I am a middle-aged Caucasian male, you pretty much CAN"T hurt my feelings" Sums it up pretty well.

 

[Ghaleon640]

I saw the 'as a practicing christian' comments specifically targeting the remarks targeted at him focusing on his involvement in Masquerade, all the comments about 'Secs' and whatever else was said was particularly focusing on an audience that would see this as blasphemous devil worship... or something along those lines. So I get why he included it there, but as a whole, yeah its kind of messed up that the 'christian' game works so well in U.S. politics.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

Seriously, what is it with you Americans and demonising each other based on political affiliation. It's absolutely fucking ridiculous. Perhaps that whole two party thing isn't working out so well?

 

[Eric the Orange]

You're right he should show more consideration to calling a spade a spade. I'll rephrase, GO ROSSALINCOLN YOU'RE THE BEST! I don't know why a party that is so hypocritical, they, much less anyone else, don't bat an eyelash when caught... daily. Only some democrats with their knowing snickers or exasperated sighs care at this point. Most democrats aren't awesome but at least running a actual government is on their list of priorities.

EDIT: I of course mean nationally. Locally republicans get more sane but living in a right to work state makes them still nasty.

So your problem wasn't the earlier stated problem, but rather it's ok to be biased as long as the bais agrees with what you think. So nothing that I actually said should bother you. Because the plain fact that bais exists was not your problem. So why single me out. Are you so mad that even someone who MIGHT disagree with you should be treated with scorn. And it's funny I'm a fairly liberal person and agree with most of what he said, but the meer fact that I could possibly ask him to tone it down is apparently offensive to you.

 

[Sarge034]

Yeah, that won't work.

The forum rules don't apply to employees of The Escapist, (not that I've seen, anyway).

Supposedly most do, but the staff supposedly takes action behind the scenes for infractions. I really just reported it to the mods because I felt I needed to do that before complaining the staff. Kindda a chain of command thing, but in the end it got fixed.