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Shame on Y Combinator

marco.org

691–700 of 1001 posts

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#691

There are some brilliant people working in this industry whose politics I abhor. That doesn't mean that we can't, don't, or won't work well together, or even that we have to leave politics at the door. I've had some great conversations with people who I strongly disagree with politically -- frustrating, yes, but still highly interesting and worthwhile for mutual understanding. This trend of naming, shaming, and exclu…

I agree with you in general, but Trump is uniquely toxic. Every day he says more and more hateful and disturbing things, and threatens our open and democratic society with his constant railing against the rigged election and encouragement to supporters to go intimidate voters in typically-Democratic districts. This is not just a political difference. Trump is truly dangerous.

It's too easy to see the opposition as "uniquely dangerous." As I recall, the left actually believed that George W was going to start World War 3 and declare himself dictator. And Obama was going to permanently take over major corporations and institute communism.

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#692

Marcos understanding of this situation is extremely telling for a fundamental problem with many americans relationship with politics. Most only get involved around election. After that their political interest is non existing. It's easy to get lured into the idea that politics is a simple choice between the moral good and the moral bad, that the choice is simple and that there is a one to one relationship between wha…

At this point, with the constant talk of how the election will be rigged and occasional talk of assassinating his opponent, a vote for Trump is a vote against the very foundations of democracy itself. It's no longer about decency, but about preserving the basis of our nation.

I respect everyone's right to express their views, whatever they may be, but there's no obligation to support people whose views I find reprehensible. And when someone supports those reprehensible views with a big chunk of cash, why shouldn't I object?

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#694

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> When the campaign of a presidential nominee (Hillary) is recruiting the homeless and mentally ill to cause violence at Trump rallies Citation very VERY needed. James O'Keefe is not an acceptable - that is, truthful - source. [1] > The tolerant left is on some radical moralistic high ground right now and it's far more dangerous than any words Trump has said. You need to unpack this. I don't understand how any ideolo…

The O'Keefe video[1] shows extended primary source material of named Democratic operatives bragging about recruiting the homeless to deliberately cause violence at conservative events, including providing scripted words. You may not like the editing, and there could be material edited out that redeem the Clinton operatives 1-5%. But not much. At least by my lights, the evidence is quite damning. [1] https://www.youtu…

The thing is, that's what people said about his previous work, and so much of that was discredited, it's hard to believe it this time. Definite case of boy-who-cried-wolf, for me.

I will admit I'm biased: I find the allegations very difficult to believe and their timing extremely convenient. That doesn't mean they aren't true (any more than the sex assault allegations against Trump are false because they only just came out recently), but rather that further scrutiny is reasonable.

There's also the argument that there's a big difference between individuals in the campaign doing something, and the campaign endorsing/encouraging/demanding something. That defense has been used by the Trump campaign whenever it finds anti-Semitic, white nationalist or obviously racist campaign operatives in the media (as has happened several times), so if it applies there, it ought to apply here.

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#695
post #595

Shame on Marco. I can't stand Trump, but I also can't stand this ganging up on Thiel. I guess the fact that he's a billionaire means he can be bullied, but this political bullying has a chilling effect that leads to the lackluster choices we get for president every four years. Thiel sees Hillary as a bigger threat to his interests than Trump. To prefer an outcome does not imply you favor all aspects of that outcome.…

> Thiel sees Hillary as a bigger threat to his interests than Trump. To prefer an outcome does not imply you favor all aspects of that outcome.

It is however evidence of Thiel's values. He's chosen his side, and it is perfectly reasonable for people judge him on the fact that cares less about Trump's willingness to stoke hatred than whatever flaws he finds in Hillary Clinton.

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#696
post #668
post #662

"Can't we just drone the guy?" - Hillary Clinton, on Assange.

Haven't seen that one. May I have a source, please?

FBI report. Of course, it's a "joke" that Hillary "can't recall." Even though, "The statement drew laughter from the room which quickly died off when the Secretary kept talking in a terse manner, sources said. Clinton said Assange, after all, was a relatively soft target, “walking around” freely and thumbing his nose without any fear of reprisals from the United States. Clinton was upset about Assange’s previous 2010 records releases, divulging secret U.S. documents about the war in Afghanistan in July and the war in Iraq just a month earlier in October, sources said."

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/hillary-clinton-julian...

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#697

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Excellent point, but to discuss politics on HN is a waste of time as there isn't an easy way to know who you are talking to - the same type of operatives you refer too are also crawling HN and pretty much every other popular social media space. Marco is either completely oblivious to the phenomena (and has bought into their narrative hook, line and sinker) or perhaps he himself is also artificially incentivized. The…

It seems you just accused sama of taking payment from Clinton's campaign for his blog post yesterday. I know you said you are not, but you did. This is why politics should be banned from HN until the election is over.

Being aware of a certain possibility, and pointing out this possibility for others to see, is not an accusation - particularly because I said and as you acknowledged it was not intended as accusation nor did I jump to that conclusion personally.

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#699
post #595

Shame on Marco. I can't stand Trump, but I also can't stand this ganging up on Thiel. I guess the fact that he's a billionaire means he can be bullied, but this political bullying has a chilling effect that leads to the lackluster choices we get for president every four years. Thiel sees Hillary as a bigger threat to his interests than Trump. To prefer an outcome does not imply you favor all aspects of that outcome.…

Bullying implies a power relationship where Thiel is weak, and strong people are ganging up on him. But Thiel is a powerful man. This is just debate. Huge, internet-clogging amounts of debate.

Next you're probably going to deny that you're bullying Facebook!!!!!! :)

Re: Shame on Y Combinator

#700

Shame on all of you for daring to criticize a person's freedom of speech and participation. And I'm willing to bet the majority of people posting in this thread are Americans, which makes this whole conversation even more head-shaking for me. Not a Christian, but "pull the plank from thine own eye" seems to be the most appropriate thing to say to every last one of you here.

It is a criticism of fascism, nazism, racism and sexual assault.
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