jordan's avatar

[k2racer]

1) I've searched for "political avatar or content"
2) I've questioned myself to send a PM or make a thread. It became a thread to see the opinions of others.
3) I have read the AUP fully


To jordan with all respect,

I found it a surprise that you made a change from the olympic avatars towards a poltically orientated one (to use a understatement).

I respect this forum very much, one good reason for it is, that the avatars of members are ;non-sexual, not explicit in any direction.

To be honest, Jordan, your's is one of the few that are politically orientated.. Sure, you're the boss and they tend to make the rules..

The force of the GT community is that we share one passion, cars in games. We do not speak of were we come from, who we are, men or woman, old or young, rich or poor. This is a good thing , we respect eachother for our posted content!

The use of a political avatar (or signature) is dividing us (my opinion) and maybe it is because I am european that I made this thread?

What's your opinion and did similar thoughts crossed your mind?

Again, with respect for your efforts on the site,

k2racer

 

[Duke]

I'm glad to hear you acknowledging that Jordan is within his rights as owner to post the avatar he wishes. I'm also glad to hear you offering your own opinion on the matter.

I won't pretend to speak for Jordan, but I don't see how his avatar is divisive or inappropriate. Many people express clear and unswerving political opinions, not only on the Opinions board but elsewhere. Numerous references are made to President Bush's stupidity, arrogance, etc. - mostly, in fact, by people who are not governed by the American democratic system and who will have no vote in the upcoming US election.

These comments and the arguments they breed are far more common and far more divisive than an avatar. Jordan is clearly but quietly showing support for his candidate. He's not trumpeting the cause of Bush and he's not attacking other candidates; he's merely identifying himself with a person who shares his values.

Speaking for myself, and I'm not a Bush supporter, I find Jordan's avatar far more acceptable than the user who has a candid shot of Bush pursing his lips and the title "Duhhhh..." over it.

 

[k2racer]

I like the fact that someone is able to express his/hers opinions within 100*100 pixels (110 in his case) and that we are able to discuss about it here.

I am not finding it offensive or inappropriate and it is not Bush who triggered my attention, Kerry would have done the same (nice use of word "triggered" in this sentence for an not native english speaker, discussing Bush)

I was simply finding it a big step for Jordan from Car Wheel to Athens Logo (which was beautiful !) towards Bush and it surprised me.

Actually I am now looking forward towards his next after your elections...
Jordan surprise me again

Our mayor Jordan, so to speak, of our community still gets my vote!

I would not mind though if avatars are watched to be not offensive towards others, it keeps GTplanet stand out from the rest! (but that's probably because I am a father of young children, shhhh I am getting old....)

 

[Jordan]

The use of a political avatar (or signature) is dividing us (my opinion) and maybe it is because I am european that I made this thread?

What's your opinion and did similar thoughts crossed your mind?

Why would my support for a political candidate divide the community? The thought never crossed my mind once. The election is drawing closer, and I want to show my support for President Bush.

I would not mind though if avatars are watched to be not offensive towards others, it keeps GTplanet stand out from the rest! (but that's probably because I am a father of young children, shhhh I am getting old....)

With all due respect, k2, I've seen political avatars here for many years. Why was a simple, honorable, and respectable political avatar for President Bush the one that made you afraid people would be offended by it?

 

[Event]

Speaking for myself, and I'm not a Bush supporter, I find Jordan's avatar far more acceptable than the user who has a candid shot of Bush pursing his lips and the title "Duhhhh..." over it.

I'm sorry for my avatar, I just don't think Bush is fit to run our country. We need an intellectual running our country.

btw, i didn't think it would really offend anyone, except Bush...

 

[Duke]

I'm sorry for my avatar, I just don't think Bush is fit to run our country. We need an intellectual running our country.

You have no idea whether Bush is an 'intellectual' or not - all you know is that he's not much of a public speaker; certainly not an extemporaneous one. Nor am I, and I doubt you are either.

Regardless of that, if you think we need an 'intellectual', then why not find a picture of one and put it as your avatar? Isn't that more constructive (it has to be) than a negative attack?

 

[Event]

Isn't that more constructive (it has to be) than a negative attack?

I'm just following the current trends of political campaigns. I really don't want Bush as president anymore.

 

[milefile]

I'm just following...

CBS? CNN? A morality of pity founded in condescension and patronage? Clearly.

 

[Duke]

I'm just following the current trends of political campaigns. I really don't want Bush as president anymore.

Then find a better candidate and share that candidate's good points with the world. Convince voters that your person is better.

I bet you can't.

 

[k2racer]

It was long ago that I discussed politics and the fact alone that I am european makes me feel an outsider in the discussion it came to be in the thread.

Jordan, with even due respect, I never said or intended the fact that your avatar might offend anyone.

Using the word "dividing" was used because of the fact that we here (Belgium) understand that in your election system, in the end, you have to choose between 2 parties with their candidates. We choose between approx. 10 parties.

The intention was to know your opinion and you have made it clear, thank you for that! 👍

 

[Famine]

Guys? Opinions forum?

 

[Pako]

And with that, shall we move to the Opinions forum? As Famine is pointing out, we are clearly discussing opinions.

---->Woooooosh.

 

[Event]

Then find a better candidate and share that candidate's good points with the world. Convince voters that your person is better.

I bet you can't.

I have not yet gotten into politics much considering I won't be able to vote until next election, and by that time, I might have become full-fledged Libertarian. I'm already leaning in that direction.

Some things I care about w/ John Kerry is his stance on abortion, and Women should have the right to choose. I agree with neaqrly all of John Kerry's domestic issues. On foreign policy, I beleve that we are screwed no matter what. Bush or Kerry, we all lose anyway... I will change my avatar now.

 

[PhatFat]

Some things I care about w/ John Kerry is his stance on abortion.

Here my friend is were we differ I just dont understand how anyone can support this!!!

 

[Duke]

I have not yet gotten into politics much considering I won't be able to vote until next election, and by that time, I might have become full-fledged Libertarian. I'm already leaning in that direction.

Some things I care about w/ John Kerry is his stance on abortion, and Women should have the right to choose. I agree with neaqrly all of John Kerry's domestic issues. On foreign policy, I beleve that we are screwed no matter what. Bush or Kerry, we all lose anyway... I will change my avatar now.

I fully support your efforts to formulate your political opinion, and to refine it. I try to do that every day of my life. But I submit that a better way to do that is to show support for what you approve, rather than trying to belittle what you don't approve. An avatar of any candidate you support is 👍 .

By the way, I should state clearly that I'm not asking you to change your avatar - you are welcome to express your opinion in any way that doesn't violate the AUP, which your Bush avatar does not. I was only using you as an example incounter to the original post questioning Jordan's choice of a pro-Bush avatar.

Here my friend is were we differ I just dont understand how anyone can support this!!!

If you wish to discuss a particular political issue, please start a new thread on that topic. We're discussing the issue of political stances in general here, not any particular opinion. Thanks.

 

[Event]

Here my friend is were we differ I just dont understand how anyone can support this!!!

Does it affect you? no. Women should be able to choose! What about incest? Should a women have to have a baby that was put into her forcibly? She should be able to stop her pregnancy.

Partial Birth abortion, on the other hand, is just wrong. I'm glad that is illegal. John Kerry does not support this, AFAIK. 1st and 2nd Trimester abortions should be fine. 3rd trimester abortions are iffy, but partial birth abortion is horribly inhumane...

 

[cardude2004]

You have no idea whether Bush is an 'intellectual' or not - all you know is that he's not much of a public speaker; certainly not an extemporaneous one. Nor am I, and I doubt you are either.

What would public speaking have to do with your presidency to a great extent. The best thing you need to be is a good decision maker. You don't need to be the best public speaker the world has seen. You don't want to be bad either and Bush is neither but that doesn't say he's bad.

Then find a better candidate and share that candidate's good points with the world. Convince voters that your person is better.
I bet you can't.

Kerry doesn't have good points if you don't think Bush has good points.

 

[PhatFat]

Women should be able to choose!

To choose what!!! To kill helpless babies! Do you realize that all abortions are brutal. Some the baby still in the womb has its limbs torn off, or its skin burnt off by chemicals. Yes it does affect me the same way as if i lived in germany around WWII and Hitler was killing Jews but I was not a Jew and didn't know any or if I lived in the time of slavery but never once saw a slave. And if a women became pregnant by rape or incest she should put it up for adoption.

 

[Anderton Prime]

Everyone PLEASE don't start another argument about abortion! This has to be one of the most dangerous and touchy subjects that people can argue over. All this will do is get the mud-slinging and name-calling started, and I guarantee you that no person who supports abortion will change his or her mind and stop supporting it, nor will one person who is against abortion be persuaded to change his or her mind and begin supporting it, as a result of arguing the matter in GTP Forums.

And besides, this thread was supposed to be about political avatars, wasn't it?

Everyone just stop before you start, and let's all move to the Favourite Beer thread and have a pint!

 

[PhatFat]

I am sorry but when some one says something about abortion like that I have to respond.

 

[Sage]

Except that you don't. And Duke already told you earlier to move it to another thread if you wanted to.

So, no more talk about abortion or any other off-subject banter after this line
______________________

Anyway, regarding political avatars… obviously, I don't have a problem with it, since I'm displaying my own (although, by design, it's a bit more subtle than Jordan's or Doug's, since you have to actually visit the URL to understand what it's about). I think that someone's political preference is just as much of an indicator of their personality as which car they prefer or if they like to play video games… and nobody has objections to all the car and GT3 avatars, right? It's simply a part of who you are, since your affiliated party is often (at least a partial) reflection of your ideologies, perspective on world issues, etc. (I'm getting redundant now, so I'll stop).

 

[Event]

To choose what!!! To kill helpless babies! Do you realize that all abortions are brutal. Some the baby still in the womb has its limbs torn off, or its skin burnt off by chemicals. Yes it does affect me the same way as if i lived in germany around WWII and Hitler was killing Jews but I was not a Jew and didn't know any or if I lived in the time of slavery but never once saw a slave. And if a women became pregnant by rape or incest she should put it up for adoption.

One last thing, only partial birth abortions are brutal. Anything in the 3rd trimester is bad. I won't get into the details of how they do it. For 1st and 1nd trimesters, it isn;t brutal. It involves pills or shots. If it is done in the first or second trimester, the Baby isn't even self-aware. It isn't a consious being. It has no feeling and it has no thought processes. I am 100% against partial birth abortions.

k, i'm done!:-D

EDIT: Sorry sage, I didn't see your post, I was typing this while you posted.

Go Liberatarian Party!

 

[Solid Fro]

I like Jordan's avatar. 👍

 

[sUn]

Nobody's ever made a thread about my avatars.

 

[Pupik]

What's this all about? As much as I may not agree with the some opinions here, the fact remains that there's nothing offensive about a political ad on this site. Now, had George Bush came to your house, and personally pimp-slapped you, and the assault charge was pending, then I could see you taking offence to Jordan's avatar.

But for now, to complain about his choice of political party is absurd. After all, if you don't like it, don't vote for him.

 

[PhatFat]

Actually if you dont like I still think you should vote for him.

 

[SkylineObsession]

When i first saw his avatar i thought "Eeeww, George Bush" (not really, but i did have some sort of reaction to it seen as i'm not a Bush fan - can't remember what it was though).

But then i just thought "Well if he prefers Bush then that is up to him" (not meant in a mean way or anything).

 

[ShobThaBob]

K2 brings up an interesting point about us being divided, and I think it also applies to how other countries view us. I'm not sure quite what I want to say about it, other than it's very interesting.

 

[Danny]

Sorry to voice my opinion, but I think politically biased avatars are an expression of what the "wearer" prefers. Is it really that different to using a car you prefer? Are you trying to persuade members to buy the said car?
Read deeper into it at your own expense, but give people the freedom of choice and expression.