*headdesk*

It wasn't even that political! It was just a cute sketch!

Thank you--that's all it was meant to be--although, admittedly I did suggest the viewer vote for him, but it was just a suggestion...

Well, yes, but if that's all it takes these days to get someone regurgitating extreme rhetoric like that, I fear for our country. :|

I think you need to laugh it off. I mean, let's put this in perspective. The dude has issue with Obama, yet he picks NOW to unwatch you? I mean, he was fine with http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7297232/ but the big bad bama man wins and he spaz's? No offense man, I love that piece but come on lol lolfurries, man and by that I mean lolhumans.

Don't let it get to you, man. I know you're trying to laugh it off but stuff like that is frustrating. Just keep doing the best you can to treat people the best you can and if they see the light some day (and I don't mean supporting Obama, I just mean being able to not walk away from people just because of a difference of opinion) in a sincere fashion, just don't close that door unless you absolutely need to, that's all.

Maybe it's just sour grapes. but this guy is still beginning to worry me. I hope I never see him at a con...

I thought that drawing was cute.

Thanks! ^0^

And still isn't lost I guess. He keeps writing more and more insane stuff on the comments! Seriously--yikes!

I really don't get why so many people seem to hate Obama. I mean, it's not his fault Bush fucked up so massively, and left America in such a bad state. Of course it takes time to set everything right, and clean the mess Bush made. And on top of that, there's the global economic crisis, that people seem to blame Obama for as well. People need to wake up.
I think, that if Romney had been elected for president, the world would've already been so much worse for it by now.

From what I can tell, this guy is spouting the most extreme Right-wing rhetoric imaginable. So all he can do is hate Obama...he's been trained to.

It's sad, really, people who are too blinded by what they think is right or wrong. Too blinded to see what's actually going on and all, and they keep clinging to their extreme beliefs.

Ah yes, it is amazing how bold and brazen others are when they can hide behind an avatar!

I'm certainly braver behind mine... In real life I would just back away and then run!

*grins*
Well it took a lot of bravery to step onto the stage and sing. You might be braver than you think! }:=)

The joys of idiots. To get pissed over a drawing really shows how mature that person is and I"m glad he's not watching you anymore. Maybe if said person would use that energy in a possitive direction, instead of just ranting about a drawing, then perhaps the country would be a better place. :P

No kidding.

Ohh that guy, I thought I recognized the name and I just checked my very old notes. He once implied he was going to beat me up at the next con he saw me at. So he's a right wing nutjob too, makes perfect sense.

Yeah, I'm beginning to worry about that myself... He seems dangerously unstable.

Fuck Him and his Ilk. right wing nut jobs and their need for something to hate. they can all suck the festering nuts of a dead elk. I am still hoping that Rush Limbaugh was right and the re-election of Obama means the end of the tea party. That really was the worst thing that could ever have happened to this country.

Couldn't put it better!

some people have no tact or tolerance

Or sense of humor. *sigh* I thougth it was cute.

Right? Some people just need to lighten up, or learn when it's a good idea to disagree with someone over something. If for some reason you and I would disagree on politics or religion... That has no bearing on your artwork which I happen to enjoy. I'm not going to stop watching you and enjoying your work because you and I disagree. That would just be stupid.

I thought the picture was great.. but then I tend to think far too many people take way too much of this far too seriously.

a little levity is wonderful.

=^.,.^=

Thank you! ^0^

I've seen some pretty ugly stuff...mostly using the N-word (something I find completely intolerable) and usually so stupid you'd think they HAVE to be kidding. But they aren't. Sick.

well I gess the Nobama turned into a Yes-Bama

Thank the furry gods!

Furry gods? hmm that would be most of the ones from Egypt

Wow! I may not like Obama, but getting mad at someone and unwatching them for a single image like that is just very childish.

See, that's all I was going for. Thanks.

Yeah that is something I will never understand why people get so enraged about this topic. If you don't like him that's okay it is your opinion but
going out all of the way and compare him to Hitler and blame him for communism ? Then you have absolutely no idea what these things even mean my friend. I understand that politcal debates are always sort of heated but it's not like the President would be the sole person to dictate the course of the country, there is still congress. And as we know in a democracy both sides like to disturb and water down the other sides proposals.
Tl;dr: it's just a simple caricature, no nedd to throw a tantrum about it

It's just all right-wing extremists propaganda. It is mostly bullshit with just enough bits of truth or at least valid opinion so that it can be argued to be reasonable. But it's mostly a load of crap. Mind you, there are those on the extreme liberal side who are just as bad, but at least they haven't become the spokesmen of the Democratic party...yet. :P

*LOL - oh those furries

no kidding.

Trouble is...he still hasn't taken off.

Whatcha gonna do?

Hell with 'em.

Just remember that this is just an FA page, if nothing else. I got into a heated argument at work today with a coworker over gay marriage. Stupidly, I didn't think ahead and realized I was going to be stuck in the operating with him for another five hours.

Yikes. I hate talking politics and religion to anybody any more.

In 1980s, Barack Obama could have been a rather mainstream Republican. Since then, GOP has moved ever further to the right, turning more and more inward, until now it is lost inside its own ass.

I wish the Pubs would move back towards their centrist ideals and leave their personal fucking bullshit beliefs at home or in church where they belong. that's what has ruined their party. THEY actually used to be the progressives!

it bugs me that people (not to be racist, but Americans in particular) don't know the difference between socialism and communism. I have been called a communist more than once (I tend to lean of the socialist side of the political spectrum and i'm not even that extreme on that) when I have expressed my views. I dunno, I guess there will always be someone who will take offense, no matter what you do.

Those terms have lost their true meanings and have just become epithets tossed around by conservatives to inflame their followers.

it's kinda sad in a way.

I need to know two things. whats this yahoo's address, and where's my boxcutter? I don't care what his opinions are, you just don't act like that on someone else's page. Especially Deathpuppy. He's too much of a sweetheart.

Careful, he claims to be big and dangerous. And he's obviously nuts. I'd stay away if I were you! But I'm glad you think I'm OK.

By the way he talks he may be a nutter, but I'm sure Steven Hawking would be a more challenging opponent in a fight. Some people's lack of respect for others just makes me constipated!

Taht watch wasnt that important. Mysoginistic types can eat some salty dick

That's one way to put it, although that doesn't sound so bad...

Totally agree ;)

I just faved it. It's cute and kinda reflects it for that little kid.

Thanks! I think. ^0^

I think the real reason Mericus is upset is he believes the horse in the picture is him and the thought of being ridden by this Kenyan, socialist, anti imperialist, reptiloid, communazi turned him on.

LOL That's GOTTA be it! Thanks for clearing that up for me sweetie!

Personally, I'm trying to figure out the extreme vitriol towards socialism. I prefer public roads as opposed to toll roads. I prefer public schools, as opposed to private/subscription schools. I prefer fire departments who will put out a fire at anybody's house, not just subscribers. I prefer uniform trade relations, as opposed to each duke and baron making their own treaties with other countries. Likewise, I prefer a country where the courts are obeyed, rather than simply the landed noble who can afford the biggest militia. I prefer a country where the elderly and those unable to work are not discarded as worthless. I prefer a country where bankruptcy is a right enshrined in the Constitution, and the wealthy cannot establish debtor's prisons and workhouses to continue the slavery begun with coercive wage structures. I prefer a country where capitalistic dreams do not require the children in a family to work in order to allow the family to make enough to survive.

Those are all socialist ideals, and those are all things—every one—that Conservatives have attempted, at one time or another, to destroy (and that doesn't even go into the horrific things that they have tried to implement in the OPPOSITE extreme, which most commonly bears the name "fascism"). Considering that the founding fathers also espoused many of those same ideals, it appears that the conservatives have warped themselves into something truly anathema to the spirit of the United States.

Incidentally, my wife wrote "Go, Bronco Bama!" on the calendar for Tuesday, and I think of your cartoon every time I walk past it.

I'm actually a fiscal conservative, and I just wanted to say that this is a very well written post. Good job sir!

that's the thing--fiscally conservative is fine. Socially conservative, I end up having problems with. And fiscally conservative, to me, doesn't mean psychotically anti-govenment and anti-social progress. A little socialism is NOT a bad thing, or the end of the world. As with everything else, there just needs to be moderation.

Thank you--well put. The Republicans used to be the more progressive party and the Dems were elitist and often racist. (Mind you, that was a long time ago.) Now it seems to have switched the other way around. But I think it's the religious aspect that has really corrupted the party. And the worst aspects of religious doctrines at that... That's just my opinion, of course.

I have been watching the blog of a well-published writer whose work (about werewolves) I have read and admired over the years. She gave me the inspiration to try my own hand at writing my own WW story (55,000 words - Yay!). But recently I deleted my watch on her blog for something similar to the reason that fur had for unwatching you.

The author posted a pre-election blog that was prefaced somewhat like this:
‘I am posting this and I do not want any vitriolic flaming to erupt because of it.’ She then went on to essentially say ‘Yay Obama! I think He walks on water while GOPers are all Nazis who eat s**t!’

What is it with Liberals? Why is it that they think that they can verbally (or in this instance graphically) hoist any form of inflammatory “flag” of their personal view on politics / religion / or sexual orientation and dismiss any disagreement of that view as being automatically wrong, “hate-speech”, fanaticism, and the simple act of turning one's back and walking away through un-watching equally wrong?

It's easy to see that behaviour specifically and exclusively in "others" but it's certainly a human frailty to want to express one's self while not accepting any criticism of one's opinions. Your statement "what is it about liberals" denies a vast swath of ignorant foolishness that has spewed from the right wing over the past few years, and not just from the rank-and-file. I'm talking about from the leaders. Who can forget Chick-Fil-A, and their support of organizations who are working to strip people like Deathpuppy of his rights as an American, yet saying you did not want to eat there because of their funding of organizations that exist to harm people was seen as some kind of violent attack on everything good and American. How DARE we, um, not give them our money? Did you file that under "Liberal" in your brain? Because I think that's incorrect.

If you look up "false-flagging" and "DMCA takedowns" on YouTube, you'll find that it's predominantly done by right-wing activists (and it's the liberals who have sometimes gotten legal action taken against them, like Shawn (shockofgod)'s very public apology for the illegal and abusive crap he was pulling to silence the channels of people whose message he didn't like). There is a difference between "walking away" and publicly ANNOUNCING that you're shunning someone, and then CONTINUING TO ARGUE WITH THEM, which is not just immature, it's comical. You're free to not look at whatever you disagree with. Unwatch and block me for all I care. Heck, you're even free to vocally proclaim your dislike for a piece of artwork, especially on your own page (don't expect to have as much control of the conversation on someone else's page). But do NOT expect to do that without getting anything back in return!

It was a cute, positive message of support for a man who is obviously liked well enough by at least 150 million Americans. Deathpuppy did not post Romney in a bondage outfit playing Brokeback Mountain with Paul Ryan. THAT would have been inflammatory. What about this piece of art could be remotely considered "inflammatory" except by the most sadly twisted, extremist, narrow-minded, hate-filled zealots?

I do not believe that '...expressing one's self while not accepting any criticism of one's opinions' is a human frailty so much as it is of human immaturity or simple intolerance.

Are not the owners (? idnk) of Chick-Fil-A expressing their opinions through support of like-minded organizations? As for the aforesaid owners, has it been publicly stated that 'stripping Americans of their rights' was their intention in supporting such organizations or even having those opinions?

What is put on the Internet is not necessary constrained by any rules of Truth, Libel Laws or Factual Editing by any credible authority. More to this point, civility between those who venture onto the Net is very often lacking, resulting in trolling, flame-wars, harassment, flagrant obscenity, and even threats of physical violence.

The Internet is as free-wheeling and damaging today as the U.S. Old West where vastly out-numbered site moderators act like “sheriffs” trying to impose their own personal versions of Law and Order. The Internet is largely ruled by public emotion and consequently mob-rule.

I found DeathPuppy's drawing style and technique in the particular picture to be again excellent. I have been watching him because of that excellence ever since his days over on FurNation. However I find his lack of resilience to what should have been expected disapproval to the picture's political statement to be unexpected.

Is "sadly twisted, extremist, narrow-minded, hate-filled zealots" an example of name-calling?

You did not answer my question. Why should he have expected disapproval on his own gallery? Your example of the author was also telling, in that she felt she had to issue a disclaimer ahead of time before stating her opinion on her own journal. But that wasn't good enough for you! It's a sad statement that she should have to expect to be attacked for saying who she likes, because the person has had such a manufactured hate machine directed at him specifically for the purpose of producing industrial quantities of hate.

Should I consider "Ryan Romney" bumper stickers to be "inflammatory?" Because boy, I'm surrounded by them, here in Texas. Should I be reacting with hostility and vitriol towards such expressions of support? Not that I planned to. Seems a complete waste of time and energy, and not a little bit nuts.

Sure, those are examples of name calling, but they're not baseless, rather like I would call Jared Laughner a demented psychopath. The fact that it's not "sensitive to his feelings" oesn't make it incorrect. Someone who sees an innocent, fun little cartoon and considers it "controversial" or "inflammatory" there's hardly any other adjective to choose but "warped." I considered Deathpuppy's initial response to be very restrained and polite. Mericus kept attacking, even when people were laughing at him. I think eventually even HE realized he had gone beyond the pale, since he deleted all his posts.

“ Why should he have expected disapproval on his own gallery?”
Since there are no FA rules forbidding negative comments or responses to postings.
As children we are cared for by our parents approving of everything we do, from the four totally unrecognizable squiggly lines approved as “art“, to our successfully using our potty chairs for their functions. However the older we get the less forgiving they and the Adult World are of our efforts -- and we should be aware of that eventuality and the reasons for it.

“…because the person has had such a manufactured hate machine directed at him specifically for the purpose of producing industrial quantities of hate.” One can assume that roughly one half of one’s Internet audience here in the US is Democratic and the other half Republican. So is colorfully damning any self-defense that might be offered beforehand by that slurred half a form of hate? A simple preface of not wanting any negative responses to her following comments posted should have been sufficient. Can people be hateful and not be aware of it?

How could you be “offended” by political bumper stickers? From what you have written, you disagree with their purpose, but certainly not the Freedom of Speech which allows them to be displayed.

“Someone who sees an innocent, fun little cartoon and considers it "controversial" or "inflammatory" there's hardly any other adjective to choose but "warped."“ Then would you say that the thousands of Muslims who rioted in the streets around the world over that “innocent, fun little cartoon” created by that Danish cartoonist a few years ago depicting the Prophet Mohammed wearing a turban shaped like a bomb warhead were all "warped"? How then would your catagorize yourself for being "offended" by the Romney-Ryan bumper stickers around you?

Sorry but I did not see the earlier interaction between DeathPuppy and Mericus. However even before that I have been a firm believer in civil disagreement without the usage of the pointing finger accusatory words or childish name-calling such as was used in that video.

"Is "sadly twisted, extremist, narrow-minded, hate-filled zealots" an example of name-calling?"

Yes, it is...if it isn't true. But please understand that I don't believe ALL Republicans or conservatives to be those things. But there are certain persons who are very much those things. I'm not saying there are no liberals who can't be called those same things. I'm just saying that I've seen a lot more conservative media types that qualify than liberal types. Maybe I'm still out of line...but there it is.

Actually, the really funny thing is that conservatives do the exact same thing. I've noticed that the basic complaints that liberals and conservatives voice about one another are the same ones. They each accuse the other of being arrogant and elitist and intolerant and bitter, etc, etc. I could say the same things you are saying about liberals about conservatives I know. Ironic isn't it. Even when we seem to be as far apart as possible, we are still basically saying the same things.

For example: I have a friend who is an evangelical Christian conservative. He thinks I am arrogant because I don't believe in his God and don't simply accept Christian ideals as absolute truth without question. I believe that HE is arrogant for the opposite reason. He thinks he has the final inarguable truth on his side without having to subject those beliefs to examination. We both believe the other to be wrong and to be arrogant about the reasons we believe what we believe. I've seen it over and over again with almost every argument between the opposing sides. Don't forget how many conservatives out there continually call Obama a Nazi. And I've seen truly horrific posts about Obama that are nothing more than vicious and disgusting racist bile. There's a lot of hate and bitterness on both sides and most of it is unjustified, or at least exaggerated. But sometimes they aren't. Some people just seem to live to generate hate and anger. I, personally believe Ann Coulter and Michael Savage to be two of the most evil human beings that live in America. And look at wackos like Fred Phelps and Glenn Beck. They call liberals evil and disgusting and yet they spew hate and cruelty from every pore they possess.

BTW--I am definitely not saying that un-watching me is wrong. Not at all, ever. If I feel a little hurt over it, that's really my problem. It wasn't the un-watching that bothered me so much as it was the deranged tirade that proceeded it. But if I was really upset about it all I would have just deleted the whole thing. I've deleted things before because someone went off on me and I felt it was undeserved. Again tho--it's my page and my right to do so.

*sigh*

No, DP, I either did not make my point clearly or believe you may not seeing it.

I have no problem with people believing something and defending it when someone else calls it into question. However what I do have a problem with is when someone puts something forward in an “in-your-face” manner about their politics, their religion, their sexual choices, or even their artistically expressed ideas and then automatically stand ready to accuse anyone who disagrees with their personal stated beliefs as being wrong or “evil”. Dogmatic fanatics tend to do that quite a bit.

Theoretically a person who believes in something does so for a valid reason or reasons and can calmly and coolly put forward those reasons to examined by anyone and convinced by them. He/she should be able to defend or advance their belief in a civil manner through reason without resorting to emotional name-calling or character assassination.

When disagreement over a personal belief is met with emotional aggressiveness (such as name-calling) and intolerance (‘anyone who disagrees with me is wrong‘) then the civility necessary for correction and conversion to truth is cast aside from the very start and only intellectual conflict can result.

And yes, it is your page, and it is your artwork (which I thought was very clever BTW). However, any “I Believe This!” statement must be made with the clear understanding by the poster beforehand that others might not accept it when presented in that manner.

Nothing much can be gained from deleting civil disagreeing comments or by un-watching the poster. That is a poor defense of anyone’s beliefs.

An example of the wonderfully calm and rational discourse of some conservatives, and how eager they are to encourage others to express themselves...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLoqti0lzAw

The frequent usage of obscenities and profanity in the video immediately identifies the immaturity of that supporter or any supporter for that matter regarding any issue. Even here among the journal postings of FurAffinity.

First, just wanted to say that I did not delete Mercius' posts. He apparently did it from his end...or maybe they disappear automatically when he "un-watched" me. Not sure. But I did not.

Second, I'm not clear on whether you are saying that I am the one who thinks anyone who disagrees with me is automatically "wrong" or "evil". That what the second paragraph sounds like. That I would take exception to. There ARE people who I disagree with that I believe to be wrong and evil, but not BECAUSE they disagree with me. Usually it's because they've said something vicious or reprehensible. Actually, I am generally fairly open-minded about people and their beliefs, even when I do disagree with them. Also I don't consider everyone who I think is wrong about something to be "evil".

As for the specific posts of Mercius, I know for a fact that much of what he was saying was crap. Perhaps I should have just ignored his posts completely. I don't like engaging in these kinds of discussions because frankly, I don't really feel up to the challenge of being able to deflate other peoples' ideas...nor do I necessarily want to. Only in cases where someone's ideas are actually threatening my freedoms. When they are sponsoring legislation against my rights as a gay man, or whatever. On the other hand, in this case I just felt like he was just trying to pick a fight or agitate me with his walls of distorted propaganda. I feel perfectly justified in asking someone who's doing that to stop.

Still, you clearly feel that I handled the situation poorly, and you are probably right about that. I don't really want to argue people out of deeply held beliefs. And frankly, I'm not sure it's possible to do so anyway. My journey from religious indoctrination to complete lack of faith in what I believe to be invented gods, was a long and difficult one and I had to figure it out for myself mostly. I expect it always needs to be that way. You can't MAKE someone think a certain way...you can only show them what you see and let them decide for themselves.

Yeesh. Now I'm doing it...walls of text. :P Anyway Lionus, I hope you don't bail on me too. I'm sorry if you found any of my comments to be objectionable.

*hugs you*

One of my most memorable e-mail correspondences was with a self-described “homophobe”. To his credit he was willing to listen to my explanation of my views and I to his. We disagreed on some points, but allowed each other to explain our different views and our reasons for having them to one another.

Understanding is not the same as agreeing.

In the end, his views were moderated and I could understand why he thought the way he did. We accepted that each of us was different and being different wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, being different meant that there was something to be learned from one another.

Heh, after what started out as a flame-war ended with him extending an invitation to me to attend his (straight) marriage.

Ripping someone’s views and beliefs apart, as apparently that fur did to you, without allowing the possibility that what he believed that made your views and beliefs appear wrong to him was more an act of fear than certitude.

My view of Furry is that it is a sanctuary for people to escape to out of the abrasive everyday Real World. Have a bad day at work or in class? A few hours of looking at furry art (where every fur gets along) here in FA or chatting with furry friends can take away the stress with a couple of smiles.

Politics, religion and sexual choices are the three points of the triangle that define a person’s personality in the REAL WORLD, not in the World of Furry. Posting statements of one’s RL personal political/religious/sexual choices on a Furry site is as unpleasant as having one’s favorite TV program interrupted by a news bulletin regarding something you have absolutely no interest in at all.

There are all sorts of social sites such as Facebook where RL interests are posted and discussed very day. Posting reminders of the abrasiveness and divisiveness of the RL world, that people are perhaps trying to escape from, largely ruins that healing aspect of Furry for some if not many.

That some people can not simply turn away from such RL intrusions by clicking to the next page, but react with nasty comments or verbal attacks is all part of that unpleasantness from the Real World that Furry should be able to offer some escape from. The enraged people spoil it for everyone too.

As for me ever bailing on you -- I seriously doubt that will even happen, DP. I have collected 287 of your on-line works from May of 99’ (when you were WP) up until August of 2011. I admire (read that as “am jealous of“) your talent and your sense of humor and am looking forward to years more of muttering to myself “I wish I could draw like that” and chuckling over your humorous images.

*many hugs and much respect*

Thanks Lionus! I appreciate that. And keep an eye on me. I honestly try not to denigrate other people's beliefs or points of view, in acknowledgement of the fact that I am not all-knowing, but sometimes--especially if aggressively challenged by someone whose viewpoint I consider to be dangerously skewed, I have a tendency to mouth off. Let me know if I seem to be out of line. ;) I can learn.

*Hugs*

It was a cute drawing, although I personally don't have an agreeance with you about his (Obama) being someone that we should support; of course, I've not a great love for the other guy either. But... to cancel a friendship or possibility of a friendship over a difference of political opinion really limits our friend base. I doubt I'd have any friends if I ousted everyone that didn't agree with everything I did. That is how life is. Sure, we have to draw the line somewhere, but... I think sometimes the line gets drawn too soon. Don't let folks disliking what you have to say keep you from saying (or arting) your opinions. If they feel to close themselves to you completely, then there probably was no emotional bond there between you and them.

Even if I don't agree with you, I still think you're nice to visit with.

What?? You don't agree with me??? You are dead to me! ^0^ (Kidding, of course!)

You aren't getting rid of a dragon THAT easily... mwahahaaaahahaah!!!