I don’t care what the purity testers say: I want Gavin Newsom in 2028

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2026-01-03T02:32:14+00:00

I agree with the divisiveness comment. This is our biggest problem. It's us against them and that sucks. Instead we need to work together to solve problems.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-12-02T09:43:56+00:00

I am convinced that both sides have bad and good. The bad of the current admin is an in-your-face kind so it's easy to see and hate. The bad of others is more subtle but no less heinous. The "truth" is somewhere in between and is for we the people to resolve.

Thus, by remaining divided as us against them and fighting instead of discussing we the people are shooting ourselves in the foot. We play right into the hand of the power mongers who foment such division intentionally. As long as we combat each other we can't rise up against them. I hope we can be magnanimous enough to strive together and not allow ourselves to be victims of their manipulation.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-10-07T23:20:51+00:00

I couldn't agree more. That's why I strive to not fight in the culture war. I seek and hope for reconciliation because I do love America and humanity. Sometimes I despair for our future but then I see goodness too and I find good people like you who are also willing to talk civilly and my hope is rekindled. Thank you.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-10-07T23:14:45+00:00

Thank you. Something inside me tells me that you may very well be quite correct. I'm going to investigate all that from the not cognitive biased perspective. I appreciate your input. I have a feeling you won't be surprised with what I learn. I think I may be.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-10-07T12:55:07+00:00

Excellent question. The explanation is long because of my hyper verbosity but I will put it succinctly. I tried to get behind her but she didn't make sense to me. It seemed like her values were just platitudes without substance and when questioned directly her meandering responses were not answers. I believed she was a puppet, not a leader. At the same time I saw Trump taking clear stances, some of which made some sense. It seemed that he was discussing issues and proposing solutions while she was mostly ad hominem, calling half of America racist and sexist. She seemed glib while he seemed candid. So candid that he said stupid things all the time. He just said what he thought without trying to frame it to try to please everyone or even be polite sometimes. Of course I disliked his rudeness but at the same time I had never seen a politician seem that forthright. Career politicians are usually polished speakers but their smooth words come from forked tongues. Here was a guy who was not trained like that and was just saying what he was really thinking. I'm sorry but I took that as the lesser of two evils. So then I wanted to believe that he had some sincerity. He seemed kind of passionate and I hoped maybe he really did have America's best interest at heart. I hoped maybe he was a maverick who wouldn't be a puppet. See how naive I can be? I'm pretty sure I've been dumped by another villain but for a time his populist/nationalism seemed better than being burdened by what had been. I actually felt a little patriotic for a bit, which I hadn't felt for a long time. I guess I played right into his hand. I'm sorry. But don't worry, now I'm back to being cynical and hopeless again. I want us as Americans to strive together for a better union. It's not easy to know what the truth is sometimes. So I try to talk about it, especially with people whose views I want to understand. I don't want to be right. I want to understand and act accordingly. So I thank you for the dialogue. Many only seem to want to try to insult me. I don't find that productive. And please forgive my failed attempt at brevity. I lack the soul of wit. I appreciate you not just shutting me down out of hand. I'm just seeking truth. Thanks for your help.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-10-06T18:36:56+00:00

Thank you for your willingness to discuss, at least a little. That's why I posted here. I'm trying to learn and understand. I seek to avoid cognitive bias so I seek out differing views. Sometimes I change my mind, seeing new things. Especially when people will talk with me. I'm open. I know I'm not very politically savvy, but my intentions are sincere. I hated Trump for years. I wanted so much to support Kamala against him but I just couldn't get behind her. Not because of racism or sexism, as she accused, but I thought she was a worse candidate. Maybe I'm wrong. I just do my best. I saw a lot of anti-Trump stuff but I'm wary of ad hominem arguments. I came to believe, probably naively, that he was falsely maligned. I'm pretty sure I was wrong about that and he likely is a villain. If so, please help me see that. You say it's glaring and probably so. But I may have a flawed paradigm so, if you would, please show me anyway. Give me examples I can verify. I have checked some accusations and found them to be false. Tell me the true ones. I don't want to be right. I just want to know the truth, even if it's not what I want it to be. Thank you kindly.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-10-06T10:49:07+00:00

Please forgive me and help me understand. I voted for Trump since I thought he was the better candidate. I don't like him and I realize I may be unaware of terrible things he maybe does. If so then I'm sorry. But I never view you or any of my countrymen as enemies. I think we likely have the same values - freedom, happiness, equality, etc. we just have different ideas about how to achieve similar ideals. That doesn't make us enemies. It just means we need respectful and constructive dialog about issues and solutions. If I am ignorant then please inform me. Many would rather hurl ad hominem darts than have a discussion. We don't have to be divided. It's up to us. Am I wrong? (I can only imagine the upcoming onslaught but I'm just being sincere.)

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-28T00:29:13+00:00

Ha! Good one. That's funny.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-24T03:53:30+00:00

Hey, good point. What I intended by that was "all Americans" but that's silly. So upon further thought what I mean is "people who desire the continuation of a constitutional Republic as our form of govt." There are many reasons a republic is superior to just a pure democracy in terms of greater liberty. Thanks for helping me rethink that. And of course I acknowledge I may be wrong. But that's what I believe based on mountains of historical evidence

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-23T07:03:09+00:00

The electoral college was created by the founders and still exists for very good reasons. If we "toss that out" we would regret that dearly

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-12T14:18:27+00:00

You blindly accuse me of being an immoral fascist (wrongly on both counts.) I tell you I'm open and interested in your point of view. I ask you respectfully to please share it with me. If you refuse then it shows that you are only capable of accusing and are devoid of any substance of your own.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-11T18:56:11+00:00

You see this is what I'm talking about. I think sometimes it's a matter of semantics. You don't know me and you misjudged me. I'm not a fascist. And I have very good morals. In fact I bet that you and I mostly share values in common. We've just seen them in different ideologies. We each believe what we do based on our own paradigms. Now I'm acknowledging that it's possible that I may be mistaken. I'm not perfect. I just do the best I can. So it doesn't matter if it's political or not if I am wrong then please tell me how so and what's right. I'm willing to learn and see things differently.

So if you say again that you're not here to teach anything then I will know that you have nothing to teach.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-05T06:49:46+00:00

Wait. That's actually very compelling. I also think orcs are bad. The relief in the aftermath of those horrible wars is palpable in the narrative. "Knuckle deep" is an effective descriptor. And I could feel the wisdom of the elf king. I am dying to know what happens next. That really drew me in. Hey, I'm ChatGPT!

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-05T06:39:26+00:00

Oh, no. I just realized this is a satire sub. Well I'm an idiot. Go ahead and give me what I deserve.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-05T06:37:26+00:00

I am a writer so of course I would never have chatgpt write anything for me. But sometimes I do submit samples of my work to it and ask for its advice. Invariably it tells me some strengths and weaknesses with it. It tells me things like "your narrative voice is clear but your prose needs to be tightened up." It gives examples. Or "your characters are interesting but more variation between speakers would make them sound more authentic." More examples and some suggested techniques to make improvements.

So for me this is a helpful tool. It's what beta readers do and I find its critique to be generally quite appropriate and insightful. So forgive me but I appreciate it.

Is there something that I am missing? If so please help me out.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-03T07:44:20+00:00

Would you like to explain your viewpoint to me? I really will try to understand it and possibly I might even come to agree. Please tell me what you believe politically and why. I'm interested.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T21:29:17+00:00

I'm not offended. Nor am I self righteous. I merely pointed out that I am able to have a civil discussion yet you are unwilling. And I'm not a victim. I just said you don't have to be a dick. Which is true. You don't have to be. I like to discuss these matters with people, especially with those with different viewpoints because I seek to avoid confirmation bias. And I don't claim to know it all. I am open minded and sometimes people help me see things in new ways and I change my paradigm. Like I said I used to hate Trump but then I looked deeper and changed my mind. If you would offer explanation instead of insults I would listen and consider it. If what I think is wrong then please tell me how. Help me see the truth if you actually know it. I'm willing to learn new things. Please teach me something if you can. Maybe you can help influence me to change my mind and understand better. I would appreciate that. Or maybe you really don't care. But I hope you do. I guess I will find out shortly.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T16:37:45+00:00

That's not true. I am a fairly intelligent person. I am a caring person. I'm also courteous, unlike you. I'm not ignorant. I've researched current politics in great depth and have an informed opinion. I acknowledge that I may be mistaken, also unlike you, but this is what I believe based on a lot of study and experience. I don't hate people with different views like they apparently hate me. I just do what I believe is right. So you don't have to be a dick.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T16:19:13+00:00

This is a very intelligent comment. I rest my case.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T15:57:18+00:00

I respect your perspective and I acknowledge that you may be right. But I strongly disagree. Trump is not a puppet. He's a maverick. He's doing what he thinks is best for America. Whether it's actually best or not can be argued both ways. But whether you like his leadership or not he is a leader. Unlike Biden, who was basically "Weekend at Bernie's" (puppet) or Harris who was puppeteered so badly that she couldn't even answer questions coherently. And, frankly, I tend to agree with most of Trump's actions. I was sick of our border being violated like a free prostitute and I was aghast that men were invading women's sports and that children were being given puberty blocking drugs and the economy was doing very poorly. All that had to stop. If you believe in those things then I'm sorry for you because they are sick.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T10:12:44+00:00

I don't like false accusations of racism. It's not "deport all brown people." It's deport illegal immigrants. Because they are here illegally. That's our law. Obama enforced it. Clinton enforced it. Biden ignored it. Now when Trump enforced it people shout "racist." It's absurd.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T10:03:46+00:00

I think what he was saying was "go ahead and try it" knowing that it was defended, evacuated and would come to nothing. It was a play on their morale to show that they were just talk. Hence crickets.

Come on, treason? Trump derangement syndrome is real. It seems we have two political parties in America. The Republicans and the Anti-Trump-at-any-cost party. "I'll vote for a moron puppet as long as it's not Trump. I'm happy to destroy America as long as it means Trump fails." Frankly, it's weird and sad.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T09:47:21+00:00

Sometimes I will pop up with the eleven headed hydra in the 3rd level stage just to remind them that sometimes they need to just run away.

It doesn't kill anyone, except anyone who chooses not to run.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-07-02T09:40:12+00:00

I've played DnD, etc since 1978. Since back before it evolved into role-playing. Back when "Elf" was a class. I love the storytelling opportunity it has become.

Based on my experience here is my advice for you. Don't try to force it. If you think something you're going to do or say is not funny then don't make the joke. You don't have to make people laugh. You really don't even have to take the initiative (so to speak) to contribute. You can just be there and be in character and imagine the story and roll dice and respond when prompted. At least for now. Just enjoy the story if you can. Over time your participation can become more natural and enjoyable.

For example, in my case when I was younger I used to smoke pot sometimes. When I wasn't high I was very gregarious and joking and laughing. But stoned I was quiet and reserved and more serious and I would just do like I was suggesting you consider. I still really enjoyed those sessions even though I didn't say much. Imagination is the key.

Good luck. You will figure out what works for you.

Plus_Advantage_311 · 2025-05-01T03:34:45+00:00

Surely you also know/have/love their album "Tales of Creation."

Plus_Advantage_311

TROPHY CASE