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 -
Small update, but trump just tweeted that the execution livestream has been cancelled: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117445309638266855
I guess it wasn't something they were really committed to, and they just threw out the idea in a tweet to test the waters, and took it back after it didn't go so hot. Either that or the logistics of doing the livestream and even coming up with a location to do it is pretty difficult. Since there are no existing areas to do the act, idk if it will be in a hastily constructed facility or they'll just strap in in the downrange area of an existing shooting range.
I think the idea was
Run up the idea as a trial balloon
If it doesn't float, Trump gets to look like he's reining in Mad Dog Hegseth.
Likely, and additional to that, another TACO instance. (Trump Always Chickens Out.) I’d claim my balls are blue but I lost faith with the Iran debacle.
As I recall, TACO was coined by Wall Street traders who predicted Trump would never really do tariffs, which he did do, then used to describe how he would never enforce his red line against Iran and bomb them, which he also did do.
Trump reversed the vast majority of his tariffs (either voluntarily or because he was forced to) and the US’ balance of trade hasn’t changed in a favorable way.
TACO is true. Trump didn’t invade Iran, and he didn’t implement long term tariffs of the kind necessary to reverse the trade imbalance that was his original problem.
Tariffs are the highest in 100 years. And we are at war with Iran.
the OP probably meant boots on the ground . the SCOTUS killed the tariffs anyway
"Trump Always Follows Through And Then Is Constrained By Opposition" doesn't have the same ring. TAFTATICBO?
How about Trump promises to do something that is impossible or illegal, only people who can't think more than one step ahead think it's going to happen, then it inevitably doesn't happen because it never was possible. Only people who keep falling for this think he is being stopped by some conspiracy against him. Then, his approval rating goes down because everyone is tired of this silly game and his extreme incompetence except for his most devoted fans. Something like that.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link