This weekly roundup thread is intended for all culture war posts. 'Culture war' is vaguely defined, but it basically means controversial issues that fall along set tribal lines. Arguments over culture war issues generate a lot of heat and little light, and few deeply entrenched people ever change their minds. This thread is for voicing opinions and analyzing the state of the discussion while trying to optimize for light over heat.
Optimistically, we think that engaging with people you disagree with is worth your time, and so is being nice! Pessimistically, there are many dynamics that can lead discussions on Culture War topics to become unproductive. There's a human tendency to divide along tribal lines, praising your ingroup and vilifying your outgroup - and if you think you find it easy to criticize your ingroup, then it may be that your outgroup is not who you think it is. Extremists with opposing positions can feed off each other, highlighting each other's worst points to justify their own angry rhetoric, which becomes in turn a new example of bad behavior for the other side to highlight.
We would like to avoid these negative dynamics. Accordingly, we ask that you do not use this thread for waging the Culture War. Examples of waging the Culture War:
-
Shaming.
-
Attempting to 'build consensus' or enforce ideological conformity.
-
Making sweeping generalizations to vilify a group you dislike.
-
Recruiting for a cause.
-
Posting links that could be summarized as 'Boo outgroup!' Basically, if your content is 'Can you believe what Those People did this week?' then you should either refrain from posting, or do some very patient work to contextualize and/or steel-man the relevant viewpoint.
In general, you should argue to understand, not to win. This thread is not territory to be claimed by one group or another; indeed, the aim is to have many different viewpoints represented here. Thus, we also ask that you follow some guidelines:
-
Speak plainly. Avoid sarcasm and mockery. When disagreeing with someone, state your objections explicitly.
-
Be as precise and charitable as you can. Don't paraphrase unflatteringly.
-
Don't imply that someone said something they did not say, even if you think it follows from what they said.
-
Write like everyone is reading and you want them to be included in the discussion.
On an ad hoc basis, the mods will try to compile a list of the best posts/comments from the previous week, posted in Quality Contribution threads and archived at /r/TheThread. You may nominate a comment for this list by clicking on 'report' at the bottom of the post and typing 'Actually a quality contribution' as the report reason.

Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
I've never claimed that she made a smart self-preserving decision by participating in civil disobedience against ICE. That's what makes her a hero in my opinion, she sacrificed herself (possibly unintentionally) to resist federal overreach and the police state. And I want her killer to be punished.
I dont think states should be able to opt out of immigration law because they make them feel bad anymore than I can opt out of tax law because I dont like coughing up 45% of my check to DC.
Unless you disagree with that notion there is no case for this being federal overreach or a police state action.
It creates asymmetry whereby red states are subject to blue immigration belief when blue is in power but blue states are not subject to red immigration belief when red is in power.
Its also insane entitlement by Democrats. Imagine any other form of law being basically declared null by some red states during a Democrat administration and just letting people riot around an EPA or IRS facility for months. We know what Merrick Garland would have done. Warrants, Arrests, Frogmarches. And not just on the rioters, we'd be talking about governors and AGs and police chiefs in federal custody.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
I believe taxation is theft. The government should be funded through donations, and people should be free to earmark their donations for whatever purpose they see fit.
Great, when you get your new scheme implemented WRT tax and welfare and the like you can ping me to get my help with the paring back of immigration enforcement.
More options
Context Copy link
So you don’t believe there should be a government. Got it
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link