Politics, Twitter and Name Calling

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I am a very open minded person and surely have my political views. I think what makes America great is the right to your beliefs and the right to express them. I don't really share my views and do not have a problem when others do. Here is what I do have a problem with, people who will Twitter and call anyone who supports the opposite party names, and they are not nice names. When calling names you are offending 50% of the population. I just recently stopped following a few people since because of my beliefs I must be a "Idiot" as this Twitter person said.

What are your thoughts about this kind of Twittering?

Tags: calling, expression, freedom, name, of, politics

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dionna on October 7, 2008 at 10:29am: I haven't really had anyone call me names - although I've kept my political opinions brief. However, I don't like people twittering or badmouthing the politicians either. We need to have a little class. These are people. They have children, spouses, and families. They are only human.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TheScrappyMama on October 7, 2008 at 8:54pm: I totally agree! I have absolutely no problem with someone sharing their opinion no matter if it is the same or opposite as mine. However, when they begin to make general statements calling an opposite parties followers (or just anybody who doesn't share their point of view on anything) "idiots" or any other kind of name, I get a bit put off. There is no need to be rude.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julie Northrop on October 7, 2008 at 9:27pm: So many Twitter users are taking this political campaign very personally and for me, it's been tough to even be on Twitter. I just had someone follow me and all they did was lash out at one of the political candidates. I too am all for expressing your views, but wow - I have to agree with Linsey - people are getting crazy with it. No matter what a person thinks or believe - calling others names for not feeling the same way is wrong. And Kristen - it's that person's loss for not accepting you for who you are! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Crisangwich on October 8, 2008 at 3:56pm: Wow. After reading most of the replies here...I agree with most. I have an LJ (LiveJournal) and people there are just as vicious with their politics. I just ignore it.

On twitter, what I ended up doing was making friends with other people who were politically-friendly.

This time just brings out the worst in people.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristen on October 8, 2008 at 5:52pm: Name calling is childish. I respect everyone's views, even if it is different than mines. Which is why I never talk politics on the net.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jens4him on October 8, 2008 at 9:14pm: I had this problem last night during the debate. Some of the people I follow shared waaaay different opinions and were just downright mean.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Renée on October 9, 2008 at 2:52pm: I'm not condoning name calling, but I think some people are just fed up with the political situation and are just plain ol' angry. The written word, when used eloquently and uncondescendingly, can really have a positive effect on an undecided person's opinion.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anya Clowers, RN on October 10, 2008 at 10:31am: I am brand new to Twitter - but I have always been cautious about talking politics in all phases of life. First of all - I have issues with being 100% one sided - just because the candidate is on "the other side" - doesn't mean that you should immediately hate them and blast those who don't agree.

I also personally feel that it is risky in the professional world to post such harsh comments - I mean some people I have chosen not to follow just because of their extreme political views when it has nothing to do with the business they are hoping to promote.

Just my 2 cents...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by 9to5to9 on October 10, 2008 at 6:56pm: Sadly, this is a problem not confined to Twitter.

I used to moderate a blog site that had a tendency to sink to cesspool levels at times. I'd write "be civil" posts, suspend a few people and everyone would play nice for a while. But it always kicked up again, even after I shut down commenting on the whole site for 24 hours once. It was frustrating.

I just don't get why people have to be that way. I have strong opinions -- VERY strong opinions -- and I've been blogging about policy and politics (I hope that's not as boring as it sounds!) way more than I used to. But I've never called anyone a name. Though I do get a bit sarcastic at times when I disagree with a policy. :); ▶ Reply to This