Do you generally attribute the term "whining" w/rightward types?

[Echo In Light]

Be it accurate across the ideological spectrum or not, I definitely associate the term whining with this: Disagreement with the Status quo, and republican/corporate "values" = whining.

"Deal with it!" "Grow up!" "Get over it!" ...yeah, as George Carlin tagged it, cold, heartless, yuppie language/ideology. The "whining" criticism goes hand in hand with it.

In other words, it seemed to me that it was basically a very specific personality type that relied on the term/tactic; right-wingers could usually be counted upon use it against liberals/leftists/progressives, or any variety of oddballs, anarchists and freaks from all walks of life, in an attempt to discredit and diminish dissent by framing the issue/cause in a trivializing manner i.e. the view isn't worthy of seriously contemplation or response because it's 'just whining.'

Not much different than those who smugly dismiss the existence of any/every "conspiracy theory." Basically it's code for personal preference for a specific belief system that is intolerant of questions and criticism, coupled with indirect name-calling - - if you're a "whiner" you're one, closer to the feminine than the masculine (often a big no-no among those who wield the term) ... and two, are naive, ignorant and childish. ("childish" meaning putting people over profit$)

Lately, however, I've observed the frequent use of this term/practice among some posting here at DU, and in the same disparaging tones one would expect: as a means of criticizing someone by way of demeaning their point of view.

What are your views on the subject, and why do you suppose some choose to characterize others point of view in this manner?

[MADem]

1. So, when I tell the birthers to "deal with it" and "grow up" because

the President was born in Hawaii and not Kenya, those birthers aren't whiners? They're simply fighters against the corporate = status quo?

And I'm demonstrating Republican/corporate values and putting profits ahead of people by telling those "childish" nitwits to shut up/get over it and pound sand?

When I say "STFU, the moon landing was NOT faked, you flake" you're saying I'm aligning myself not with the scientists of the world, but with the "status quo?"

I find your effort to characterize whiners by their political affiliation and their social outlook completely invalid. It's just not a good thesis. Sometimes a whiner is just a whiner.

Whiners come from all walks of life, right, left, center and totally off the page. It's not a "political" thing.

[Echo In Light]

2. I'm suggesting it's psychological aspect, which determines the political

...but I just wanted to get a cross sampling of views on the subject.

[omega minimo]

33. The OP describes and asks why some use that dismissive tactic -- and nailed it.

[stuball111]

3. Whining is contagious

I see it here sometimes..But overall I see much more intelligent conversation about issues. I think we on the left can sometimes be a bit harsh with the RW... I mean, it's hard to understand close-minded people when you are taught to keep an open mind. I think bashing them is easier than trying to understand that they're just plain spiritually sick.

[Starry Messenger]

4. People use it to infantilize their opponent.

It makes people angry (naturally) and then you can abuse them for "getting emotional". I dislike seeing it here when used on fellow posters, especially about human rights.

[Echo In Light]

7. You get it! The question is, though, do you generally associate the tactic w/specific personalities?

I mean, yes, of course I do...but trying to gage how subjective my view on that is, as opposed to others who might have a different experience.

[Starry Messenger]

11. I agree with your case as you've laid it out in the OP.

I call the people who do it "conservatives" whether they identify as Republicans or Democrats or what have you. Most of them end up on my ignore list where they can bully in their own crapulence. :D I think people do it here to discourage topics they don't want to discuss because they think it takes all the air out of the things they find important to discuss.

If they make enough people emotional about a topic then they can characterize that group as badly behaved. It's a shame because the group who is reacting isn't the source of the problem.

[noamnety]

20. exactly - and I see other versions of it on here as well

there are a few people here that respond to posters they disagree with by using baby talk.

It makes me disrespect them as people, regardless of whether I might or might not agree with their political views.

[Echo In Light]

22. Exactly. The mock 'crying' tone. Do those sadists actually talk like that to others in real life?

[noamnety]

27. I suspect if they spoke to spouses that way

the spouses would file for divorce, if they spoke to coworkers that way they'd be asked to leave. If they spoke to friends that way they wouldn't have any.

I don't know who else that leaves.

[Starry Messenger]

35. Same here.

I honestly think that if DU treated itself the same way as a workplace it would get much more civil here. I've seen people say things here that would definitely get them fired where I work. And then people get surprised when the recipient of the remark gets angry and "unreasonable"...

[EFerrari]

23. Infantilize and invalidate. Yep.

[Howzit]

5. Don't know, but there sure is a lot of whining ABOUT "rightward types"

What makes them so interesting - hardly a day goes by without another thread about what Palin does or thinks.

Surely now that the Democrats are in the majority the rightwing has become irrelevant?

[ContinentalOp]

6. Absolutely. I don't think I've ever accused somebody of "whining" in my life.

It's a really obnoxious thing to say for all of the reasons that you describe so clearly in your OP.

[blublu]

8. not only whiners but also

WHINGERS

[TreasonousBastard]

9. I attribute "whining" to whiners...

and they know no political boundaries.

So, what's "whining"? After all, we do have to define terms before discussing something like this.

As I define it, whining is a self-centered complaint about how someone didn't get his or her way and is oblivious to any possible outcome except getting "what I want RIGHT NOW!"

[ContinentalOp]

13. Right, like civil rights, equal pay, economic justice -- self-centered stuff like that?

Because that's what generally is considered "whining." Nobody says that people are whining about paying taxes or whining about their guns being taken away. Those are good manly, adult, legitimate gripes right?

[TreasonousBastard]

15. Oh bullshit-- where did I say that?

[Zywiec]

10. Nope, whiners on both sides. There are plenty even here. n/t

[TexasObserver]

12. No, I use that term for people who follow you around and nag incessantly.

You know the type. Nagging works for them in real life, so that's their only way of dealing with disappointment. They whine in the hopes that whining will result in you changing your mind.

It reminds me of spoiled brats whose parents encouraged such whining by relenting to their pissiness.


Right wingers? They're grouches.

[Orsino]

14. More often than not. The conservative sense of entitlement seems to yield more whining...

...than do socially-conscious liberal views.

[Echo In Light]

16. ...which in the projective sense is spot on.

[wininboy]

17. It depends on how you spell it

Whining = rightwing
winin = not rightwing

[Echo In Light]

18. Bump

[Echo In Light]

19. Bump

[Uzybone]

21. A whiner is a whiner, political views do not matter

Some choose to call people whiners because they think they are whining. This OP is rubbish.

[EFerrari]

25. Name calling is not an argument. n/t

[Echo In Light]

26. Do you suppose that one's psychological make up determines their political views?

...at least to a substantial extent, given the complex nature of innate biological factors, coupled with any number of defining elements and inducements one comes into contact with regularly in their social environment from childhood on?

[Uzybone]

28. I think so, but that doesn't have anything to do with whining

Whining is simply a term people use to derisively describe some ones else's concerns (appropriately or not).

[Echo In Light]

29. I'd say that speaks volumes as to how one sizes up the legitimacy of another's concerns

...which ties into one's mindset/worldview, which invariably intertwines w/their personal philosophies and political views.

[Uzybone]

30. Well I see what you are getting at

liberals are more apt to try and understand the other persons POV, while conservatives couldn't give a shit. But like was said in another post in this thread, there are some topics that no one, even the most open minded of people should even consider. e.g bigotry, the birthers etc.

There should be no qualms about calling someone who is complaining about reverse racism or someone like Orly Taitz a whiner.

[omega minimo]

34. "Whining" is used by those who associate with the Authoritarian and the dominator

for the reasons you gave in your OP. Doesn't matter the topic or politics. Yes, it must come from the whole person.

Contributed to by habits of speech people pick up and use without thinking. May be why your point can be missed by a mile...........

My shorthand for it is "macho" because it connotes the hostile/aggressive/"in yer face" aspect, but that gets associated with genitals.

(Association with) the Authoriatarian and Dominator can be anyone and everyone. Especially on the R side of the aisle.

[BlooInBloo]

24. I've used the term for years, for anyone who whines, regardless of ideology.

[omega minimo]

31. Rec + 1. Very well put. Why? For all the reasons you've stated.

:yourock:

[masuki bance]

32. This OP seems like whining to me. nt

[Echo In Light]

36. How so?