Polarizing phrases we could all live without

[Bragi]

"Drink the kool aid"

"...just doesn't get it."

"Shake your head"


All of these phrases are used by the right (and some on the left) to discredit people with whom they disagree. The intent is to characterize political opponents as being brainwashed, irrational, beyond the reach of reason.

I think, in the new era of rational Obamism, we on the left outta stop using these phrases. They are hateful and hurtful, suppress open debate rather than encourage it, and simply affirm the close-mindedness and intellectual arrogance of the speaker.

Feel free to add other similar phrases to the list...

- B

[Political Heretic]

1. /facepalm

:D just kidding

[Bragi]

5. Actually...

I kinda like that phrase. It is descriptive and isn't inherently dismissive of the views of another person, though I suppose it could be used that way.

[Political Heretic]

6. Yeah actually on second thought.... I think you're right.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. I'm throwing you under the bus.

Kidding.

[Bragi]

3. That phrase should be retired due to simple overuse /nt

[bobbolink]

4. "Get a life" and other dismissals.. simply has NO value in "progressive" discourse.

Thank you for starting this thread... this is PEACEMAKING at the most basic level!

:yourock:

[Bragi]

7. Good one... /nt

[bunnies]

8. "You people" nt

[dipsydoodle]

9. Deal with it

which never seems to have gone too well whenever I've used it here. It's pretty much a stock expression in the UK.

[Bragi]

10. Another excellent example

"Deal with it" exudes disrespectful arrogance.

- B

[dipsydoodle]

15. Not in the UK it don't

and I'm English.

[Bucky]

13. You need to get over it with being told to "deal with it"

That ship has left the station and your whole objection is just another straw herring.

[Vickers]

20. Har!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

"straw herring"

I swear, I'm gonna make a t-shirt with that on it.

[undeterred]

11. YOU ARE WITH US OR AGAINST US- NO MIDDLE GROUND

:shrug:

[Bucky]

12. "Thrown under the bus" -- most people don't know how to use it

It has to do with allowing someone to take the full blame or full negative consequences in a daunting situation, when you're in a position to protect them at least a little bit.

I also think "throw the baby out with the bath water" and "jumped the shark" are hammered to pulp by now. And please, dear sweet Jesus, no one ever say "politically correct," "politically incorrect," or "Repuke" anymore. These phrases were trite from the moment they were coined.

Yes, I am the metaphor police.

[Bucky]

14. "Repuke", "Republicon", "Rethuglican", "Renazithuglicon", "BFEE"

Give it a rest. There's not a scorn competition going on.

[Founding Fathers]

16. "energizing the base"

"energizing the base"

[Bragi]

17. Any use of "bot" as a suffix /nt

[dipsydoodle]

18. Lol

:rofl:

I remember my candle being mysteriously replaced by one.

[bobbolink]

19. or "Mother of all......."

BUT... the ones that denigrate people are the really harmful ones... "Get over it". "Deal with it" "Get a life"... all those that denote one-up-manship...it's harmful, is anti-peace, and stops any sort of meaningful dialogue.

I certainly wouldn't want a president who talked to others in that manner, and I would abhor any US Diplomats talking to diplomats of other countries in that manner!

As I said, very good thread! If only.....sigh...