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Culture War Roundup for the week of December 15, 2025

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I'm not sure if this is a more interesting post

Not really.

You're just reiterating what you said in the post you're complaining about being modded.

"Boo hiss" is not the substance of the culture war, it's just the soundtrack. Yes, we all hate our enemies. We all enjoy booing them. But if you have nothing more to say than "But, see, leftists really are that bad! They are just the worst! We should boo them!" then...

Okay. And? The people who agree with you will clap and bark like seals. The people who don't will get angry (which you also enjoy). But what is your point? That your enemies are just so bad that there isn't even any point talking about how and why they're bad?

You won't find much sympathy here for leftism. Even the most "liberal" members of the Motte (myself included) are at best the sort of heterodox classical liberal that leftists today call fascists and rightists still promise to put up against the wall with all the progressives. It's rare we have someone truly of the left who sticks around. So maybe it feels comfy for you just say "Leftists-- fucking suck! Amirite?" But that's not really what this place is for.

Talk about Trump's latest shenanigans on X or whether we should be bombing Venezuelan drug boats. Talk about housing, about demographic change, about whether we can coexist with Muslims or blacks, or whether we should try. Talk about 4X games and how woke game devs ruined your childhood. Talk about woodworking or the real estate trends and housing policies in your home town. Talk about China, or AI, or the Brown university shooting, or whether we should be sympathetic to Israel or Palestinians. Talk about science fiction novels and the latest Hugo disasters. Talk about why you're a Mormon or a Catholic or an atheist. Talk about why Indians are suddenly the bete noire of the Internet or whether the Bondi beach shooting was a repudiation or vindication of gun control laws. Talk about how hard it is to date or what's wrong with gender relations. Talk about sports or martial arts or programming or music. Talk about any damn thing in the world, even god-fucking-help-me The Jews!

These are all topics with plenty of culture war valence.

what is there to say, politically, that is worthwhile beyond "I must reproach that which is needing reproach"?

People say a lot here, every day, that is more worthwhile than that. Or at least it's worthwhile if you think there is any point to the Motte at all (and if you don't, then why are you here?)

How long have you been here? Pretty long, I'd wager. I am absolutely certain you're someone who was permabanned in the past, probably for being unable to post anything but how much you hate leftists. I'm not going to ban you for this post just like I didn't ban you for your previous one, but if you have yet to figure out what else is worthwhile to say, then why are you here? There is a lot more going in the world than "Wokes lying about stuff, and I object!"

Even the most "liberal" members of the Motte (myself included) are at best the sort of heterodox classical liberal that leftists today call fascists and rightists still promise to put up against the wall with all the progressives.

I thought it was the tankies who were "liberals get the bullet too"? Though to be fair, I'm a rightist and I do sometimes feel the urge for Γ€ la lanterne! reading some of the news (applicable to both right and left, very online SJW/woke/progressive or regressive/far-rightist, civilian or politician).

You're only a rightist inasmuch as you're Catholic. You have historically progressive views about women's rights and you're not racist or antisemitic enough.

On the other hand... Catholic.

Sorry, you're up against the wall too.

What's that quote from Flannery O'Connor? β€œShe could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick.” That's me! 😁 Up against the wall, just make it fast!