Ah, politics.
Your blog/Twitter account/Facebook page is yours to use as you see fit.
HOWEVER…
Please think about the way you present your beliefs (political or otherwise) if you choose to expound them via social media. Passion is a beautiful thing. Intensity is a beautiful thing. Informed opinions, differing theories, and thoughtful debates are beautiful things. But if you communicate your argument in a snide or aggressive manner, your point is lost on me. If you attempt to assert your case by belittling my beliefs or the beliefs of others, or try to make me feel stupid for thinking a certain way, I only end up thinking poorly of you.
So, cheers to sixty-seven mutually respectful, issue-focused campaign days.
Tell Me: Who are you voting for?
Kidding!
What are you up to this weekend, blog friends?
katyupperman.com 
Amen and amen, Katy!
You must have read my mind because I was thinking today about how tired I am of political ads and mudslinging and the crazy pseudo-discussions on Facebook. As much as I love a rousing political debate, I feel like it’s incredibly hard to find one that is respectful. Or informed. Le sigh.
Who am I voting for? Professor Dumbledore, of course! Haha. 🙂
Dumbledore for President… Now there’s a candidate I can truly get behind!
I completely agree with you about the debating. Sometimes I think people are so focused on shouting about their own opinions (sometimes informed, often NOT), they become unwilling to listen to the opinions of others. It’s all sort of disheartening, really, and I can’t wait for December.
While I’ve had some snarky thoughts slip out (because, let’s face it, I’ve never been un-snarky a single day in my life), I draw the line at belittling others. You have opinions. That’s awesome. You should have them. But in having opinions, you need to accept the responsibility of having them, which means you need to put on your grownup pants and realize that means that other people will have opinions that differ from yours, and that is also okay.
I agree, Steph. Differing opinions are what our free country is founded on. And while I think respect is crucial in sharing opinions, I also believe that a little snark never hurt anyone. 😉
Great reminder. I recently started volunteering with the campaign here in MN and it feels more productive than political debating on Facebook. It is also really amazing to call seniors from the midwest who come from a generation where they don’t discuss politics over the phone when a more digital generation shares their beliefs via social media.
Wow, Carrie, that would be incredibly interesting. It’s mind-boggling how much our country and the ways we share information have changed in such a short period of time. Sometimes I think the ease with which people can share their opinions is fantastic, and sometimes I think it’s detrimental. Mutual respect is key, even when disagreements arise!
Well said!
Have a nice holiday weekend. 🙂
Thanks, Dana… You too!
High-five. I feel ya. 🙂
Glad I’m not alone, Tracey! I felt a little preachy posting this, but man… One can only take so much uninformed and/or disrespectful political posturing. Be kind, friends, regardless of your beliefs!
Politics is so lost on me, and I completely ignore any posts about it. Less stress on the brain. Also, I second President Dumbledore. Wouldn’t that be awesome?!
Oh yeah, and this weekend I shall be doing a lot of this: ZZZZZZZZZ
SO WIPED after a full week of teaching. I’m going to rest up on a towel at the beach. Have a great weekend, Katy!
Uh, SO jealous of your beach weekend! But please… Get a little writing/revising done too, just for me. 🙂
The second someone posts a hateful or ugly political status in my feed they get hidden. Which is why I can only see like 5 of my friends in my feed…Haha. At least it’s peaceful.
This weekend I’m doing some grad school work and sleeping. I’m exhausted!
Enjoy the extra sleep, lady! I’d say you’ve earned it! And yes, I think I’ll be hiding some Facebook “friends” as well. I just can’t deal with the mudslinging, especially when it’s petty.
Here’s hoping you have a fantastic weekend, Jess!
Agreed!! I rarely make any direct comment about politics.Actually, I don’t know if I’ve ever made one myself. I’ve occasionally commented or liked, but never the hateful ones. ESPECIALLY on facebook. I run a business and my clients friend me. To be honest, I just can’t afford to offend people. (and, I don’t want to!) Nobody is going to change anyone elses mind. Especially with nastiness. Can’t wait for it to be over.
My attitude is similar, Nicole. I look at my blog, Twitter, and Facebook as an extension of myself and my brand, and I don’t find political posturing to be appropriate for those forums. Some people do, and that’s awesome, but in my opinion, it should always be kept classy and informative. Mudslinging is so anti-productive.
Fwiw, I’m more likely to offend someone with my reading choices!!!! LOL THAT, I can handle. 😉
Ha! If someone is offended by my reading choices, then that’s their problem. 😉
I couldn’t agree more with you. As a Canadian, I obviously won’t be voting in this election, but we’re still spectators to everything going on south of the border. I’ve been stunned by some of the vitriolic comments I’ve seen on Twitter (not that it’s any different up here when we have an election), and I wish people would maybe keep those opinions to themselves. Or at the very least, find a different medium to spew their thoughts. I don’t know, I guess I feel like politics can be such a divisive thing and I try to keep my political beliefs to myself or to those closest to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Katy. I hope you and your family are having a great Labo(u)r Day weekend! 😀
Thanks, Jaime! We are having a great weekend… Hope you are too. And yes, I agree. For me, politics fall into the same category as finances and religion and health. Discuss those things with those closest to you or in appropriate forums. And for the love of God, keep it respectful and classy! Not so hard, right? 🙂
Great post. I did retweet a snarky thing about republicans but it was one post and I generally don’t involve myself with any of the snark on Twitter or FB. I have a childhoodfriend (we no longer speak but are FB friends) and it’s so hard NOT to respond to her posts about how dumb the gov’t is and how Obama makes it worse. When Obama won she had posted that she would vote for Sarah Palin in 2012. I was almost about to unfriend her… I think everyone is entitled to their opinions but sometimes I just wish people would shut up! (me included lol)
My week has been okay – I got back from Switzerland (and just put a blog post), joined Twitter and my grandmother passed away Aug 31 so we’re having the funeral tomorrow. Sighs. I was supposed to move up to Boston but that’s – considering all things – being delayed. ❤ It's been a…week.
Aww, so sorry about your grandmother, Rachel. My thoughts are with you and your family.
On a much lighter note, I’m very much looking forward to checking out your Switzerland post… Just a *little* jealous of your worldly travels!
Good point. I’ve seen a lot of that kind of thing floating around, too. I’m getting the kids ready to go back to school this weekend, buying shoes and book bags and stuff. Have a great weekend!
Ooh, enjoy all that back-to-school shopping! We took care of that a few weeks ago. Hope your kiddos have a fantastic first week back!
I’m voting for Iron Man. 😉
Over Dumbledore?! A very difficult choice. 😉
LOL!
I know– I retweet things occasionally, but if at all it’s an environmental blurb and never incendiary attack-type things. Yuck. And Facebook– I’m just avoiding it until after the campaign. Though it can be entertaining to realize that pot-head slacker from high school is now super-conservative, while the former prom queen is a raging leftie!
Haha! It is funny to see how people align themselves now that they’re adults and trying to hold jobs and pay taxes. Ahh, Facebook… A beautiful thing. 😉
Excellent post. I don’t get political at all on the blog or Twitter (at least I try not to); on Facebook, which is still semi-private for me, I sometimes do. This is a good reminder to always check my tone–especially because sometimes sarcasm or humor doesn’t translate online.
And you’re so right about the lack of listening. I actually want to be exposed to other people’s opinions, even if I don’t agree! Dialogue is a great thing. But hateful and belittling comments eliminate any chance for a real dialogue to start.
Here’s to November 7th, when we can all move on!
I keep my politics private too, Rebecca. For me, it doesn’t feel professional to spout my beliefs all over the internet (except in the form of book reviews, obviously! :)). There are plenty of sites to visit for political debate, and while I encourage people to seek information concerning the issues, this blog will not be the place for them to do so.