Over the years, politics have been taboo on this website. Oh, it was not unusual for someone to do a “driveby shooting” or engage in “political innuendo” or “doublespeak” but it was somewhat tolerated as it was too difficult to stop. In 2016, the rhetoric was amped up as the Media lost their minds that Trump won the election and TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) immediately set in. 90% of all media, all the time, 24/7/365 was all about Russia’s Conspiracy with Trump and relentless attacks from the left… every day, all day. Did Trump deserve it? He cultivated and relished in it, calling people all kinds of things on Twitter. This is not about blame… it’s just what happened.
Then came the Pandemic, the Riots, Social Justice, and it then culminated with MLB becoming Political itself when they canceled the All-Star Game in Atlanta. I almost left baseball because of that. I do not think that politics have any part in baseball… except that the President or some other political dignitary can throw out the first pitch or some such pomp and circumstance. Many of the posters that are irate I engaged in political rhetoric did the exact same things themselves, in veiled or sarcastic innuendo or even overtly.
The world has lost its collective mind… both the Left and the Right. There has never been a time where there is more false information, disinformation, and bald-faced lies than now. Each side thinks they are right. America and Canada are both polarized. I am fearful that it is nearing civil war (actually it is uncivil war… no war is civil). It is no longer safe to walk the streets in many cities. Fentanyl is the number one killer of young men 18-45. The homeless roam the streets and do whatever they want. ESPN and the NBA have played a huge role in destroying a whole generation of young black men. The Dollar rules. Yet we argue about politics while humans struggle with basic daily living.
I have thought about this for a while and wonder if we should try and go back to a time when we were just united in Dodger Baseball? Can we leave all of our baggage outside of baseball and maybe the occasional reference to football or baseball at the door? It will have to be a HARD STOP. One word about politics and the comment gets deleted. Do you want that? Do you want a safe place to just discuss Dodger Baseball and NOTHING ELSE of a political or social nature?
Can we go back? Can we just get along? Can all we talk about just be Dodger Baseball?
I want to know. Can You? Will You? I started this blog 20+ years ago to just discuss Dodger Baseball. Should that be what we go back to?
I am putting it up for a vote.
Vote Aye is all you want is sports.
Vote Nay if you want to allow political rhetoric.
Remember it will be a HARD STOP!
What say, you the people?
Discussion (31)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Oh and DC, please stay!
A thousand times–AYE! (So I don’t have to bite my tongue when Mark waxes political!)
Aye,thank God !
AYE, ad infinitum.
If I want to discuss politics, there are plenty of alternatives to this site. This site is about baseball, specifically Dodger baseball. Let’s limit it to that.
Aye. Hopefully soon baseball will be a subject we will be discussing and offering our opinions again . This lockout period has lead to other matters unfortunately like politics during this dead period. A baseball settlement between the owners and players will solve this issue and we can all go back to strictly talking baseball. Even when that happens it will not hide the fact the country is bad shape right now and something needs to be done, hopefully this coming November and beyond. My last comments on this particular subject and politics in general.
Very strong Aye.
I find it interesting that the perpetrators who did drivebys and innuendo, and left when I gave them their medicine back have not commented… yet. There is still time…
Aye – 100 times Aye
We seem to be able to discuss baseball without destroying each other.
We just can’t do that with politics.
Bring back the oasis!
Aye. I have been interested/involved in politics and the law since 1966 when i first met Ronald Reagan when he ran for governor of California the first time. But there is a time and a place for everything. A Dodgers blog is not the place for politics.
Aye ( with some regret )
I happen to think talking politics and religion is a good thing, expressing ideas and varying views can be enlightening and beneficial. How do we learn and grow without a healthy exchange of opinion and ideas.
But attempting to slice someone’s throat who’s idea you don’t agree with has made a once honorable and respectable endeavor an uncivilized activity.
I was the one who mentioned free speech, it was in regards to the comment made after a comment made by William. While I disagree with William, for the most part, I believe he should have the right to freely express that opinion, as should someone who refrains from casting a vote for the lesser of two evils.
That said, I guess we are not civilized enough, or at least not mature enough to talk politics on LADT
I enjoy political debate … and I enjoy pontificating. It’s a vice.
I thought there was at least the possibility of respectful discussion enabling people from different sides to find something in common.
That was probably naive, and just annoys most people who just want to talk about baseball.
For the record, I don’t mind William. He’s expressed his beliefs. He hasn’t attacked anyone, been rude or been manipulative or snide. He believes what he believes and is not afraid to share it … and I respect him for it.
But probably best to kill the politics. Most people don’t enjoy it like I do, and it tends to spiral.
Aye
Aye!
It’s a good practice not to talk politics or religion. Maybe we should remember that practice in our own daily lives as well.
Cheers!
Yes
I will abstain as I have decided to move on from LADT.
The political rhetoric left me with a knot in my stomach each time I encountered it. I was/am interested in a baseball blog, not a knock down, drag ’em out politcial site. I had pretty much decided to move on and this comment directed at William cemented my decision. His arguments were as coherent, whether you agreed or not, as the more vocal voices on this site.
This was the comment: “Wake up and then grow up. I am tired of all your dribble. ” Much of what he said, in my opinion, was expressed well and was definitely accurate for Canada. Someone else talked about freedom of speech but obviously it didn’t apply to William. Even today in a vote a shot had to be taken at him.
I wish you all good health and happiness and a WS ring in 2022,’23,’24 and so on.
I will always be grateful to Mark for the opportunity he gave to me to write on LADT and for his kind words.
Nay……. at least until MLB and the players union sign a contract.
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye, but I love the way you lean Mark.
Aye except for William. We can always use a little humor!
AYE and thank you for the effort to go back to baseball. I hate having to skip through half of the responses.
Aye
AYE
i GET ENOUGH POLITICAL GARBAGE FROM THE TALKING HEADS I COME HERE TO GET MY FIX OF DODGER BASEBALL. I TRULY LOOK FORWARD EACH DAY TO READING ABOUT MY FAVORITE TEAM.
The Aye’s are on a roll!
ABSOLUTELY YES!!!
It is an unfortunate truth that people can not be considerate of others and maintain the moral high ground and not lower themselves to the lowest common denominator – or act as adults.
I hope the majority of us are in agreement to a baseball dialogue ONLY!!
Aye!
A loud AYE from me. I employ my “bar rules” on social media. I never discuss, while sitting at a bar, politics or religion. I don’t here either. This is a break from all that to me.
I didn’t get my response in on time to mention Bear’s post on Larry Doby, so here goes a day late.
Terrific post Bear. Well researched and a great topic. Every year for the past few, I have posted the following on Facebook every July 5th.
“Coming in 2nd usually isn’t worth much in the good ole USA. Tell me who finished 2nd in a competitaion and I will guess it either happened in your city or someone who lived there. Everyone knows Jackie Robinson and his story. How Jackie integrated Major League baseball through all of the verbal abuse and nonexceptance. Jackie’s story is well documented in articles, books, documentaries, and movies. His #42 is a sacred number in baseball, worn now by every player on April 15th, the date Jackie broke in. It’s retired and displayed in every ballpark.
Most casual baseball fans might struggle with the question “Who is Larry Doby”. See Larry came in 2nd. And until recent years, Doby got almost zero recognition for being 2nd. Doby was the 2nd player to break the color barrier. And the 1st in the American League.
On July 5, 1947, less then 3 months after Jackie integrated basebll, Doby integrated the American League. He undoubtedly experienced much of the same adversity that Jackie experience; both with class and dignity. Docy integrated all of those American League ballparks where Jackie never appeared. Doby was a 9 time all-star for Cleveland, teamed with Sacheal Page to be the 1st black players to win a World Series and was the 2nd black Manager in baseball. Interestingly, Jackie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. It took Larry Doby until 1998 to be inducted.
Despite being forgotten, Larry harbored no jealousy or ill will toward Jackie and all of his recognition. Larry was a pall barrier at Jackie’s funeral.
Jackie Robinson deservers all of the recognition he has recieved. But Larry Doby deservers far more.”
I will be posting this again on July 5th.
Aye
Aye – – all I want is sports!!
Aye