Denzel Washington Says People “Better Realize You’re Being Manipulated by Both” Political Sides

[Pull Up the Roots]

Yeah no, you don't get to call someone a Nazi and claim they're going to become a dictator in the next four years, then act like everything is good. Enemies have been "taken out" for less. Getaway drivers are still committing a crime even if they weren't the ones holding the gun.

These superficial takes are annoying. Interactions between leaders don't invalidate prior criticisms of authoritarian tendencies. Accusations of fascism against Trump weren't mere political rhetoric; they were grounded in concrete actions, like his undermining of democratic norms, spreading election misinformation, empowering extremist groups, and straight-up trying to steal an election. America made its choice. That was it after that. The transfer of power wasn't an endorsement of Trump's behavior or a dismissal of the threats he posed, it was a reaffirmation of the process itself.

It's like I said earlier: by lumping everyone and everything together, he's missing the nuance of how some leaders actively work to preserve institutions and accountability and push for progress, while others work to destabilize them and push for regression.

If the argument is that he came across as overly conciliatory, that's surface level. If it's he should have engaged in the same authoritarian tactics as Trump, well...

 

[Ozymandeas]

"Trump did whatever he wanted with no consequences."

- Breh had 34 felonies, was impeached twice
- Breh was facing multiple prison sentences, multiple investigations in the future
- Breh only got away with it because the same Both Sides Voters asking this question voted for him which gave him immunity for all his crimes



Deceitful, Dishonest responses

 

[Pull Up the Roots]

How can you put democracy above all else and give power to someone who wants to destroy it. That doesn't make any sense. Even Jesus told the devil NO.

If you block someone from power because you think they're a threat, isn't that doing the very thing you're criticizing, by undermining democracy yourself? Even though he didn't win in a landslide or secure a mandate, people still made their choice, for good or for bad. I know it seems like I'm downplaying his actual threat, but I'm not. I just don't think we should engage in the same tactics.

 

[the bossman]

How can you put democracy above all else and give power to someone who wants to destroy it. That doesn't make any sense. Even Jesus told the devil NO.

Biden isn't "giving power" to anyone. You're talking as if he personally called Trump on some "ay bruh pull up!' so he could just hand him the keys for the hell of it.

He's following the law which is to transition power to the candidate that American people voted for even if he disagrees or doesn't like it. Politicians don't decide who the power is "given" to. The voters do. That's how American democracy works. Biden respects that rule above all else.

 

[JT-Money]

Y’all see how the dem lovers just call people idiots?

They're the smartest ones in the room. Yet couldn't tell the Democrats we're cooked before the Election.

 

[timeless]

If you block someone from power because you think they're a threat, isn't that doing the very thing you're criticizing, by undermining democracy yourself? Even though he didn't win in a landslide or secure a mandate, people still made their choice, for good or for bad. I know it seems like I'm downplaying his actual threat, but I'm not. I just don't think we should engage in the same tactics.

Not at all. It's called protecting democracy, because by blocking them you're making sure democracy remains. If you had a friend that was drunk and they decided they wanted to drive home, would you stop them even if they are angry with you?

 

[Big Boss]

But Trump can dodge the rules without consequence and get shyt done…. Dems were hollering the end of democracy and didn’t react as such…. They should have applied emergency pressure and in this election if they truly felt this way….

 

[Pull Up the Roots]

Not at all. It's called protecting democracy, because by blocking them you're making sure democracy remains. If you had a friend that was drunk and they decided they wanted to drive home, would you stop them even if they are angry with you?

I get the analogy, but the difference is that in a democracy, everybody gets their chance to make a choice, even if it's an awful choice. Blocking someone from power before the process runs its course would undermine the system you're trying to protect. It's more like trying to prevent a bad decision by changing the rules halfway through.

 

[timeless]

Biden isn't "giving power" to anyone. You're talking as if he personally called Trump on some "ay bruh pull up!' so he could just hand him the keys for the hell of it.

He's following the law which is to transition power to the candidate that American people voted for even if he disagrees or doesn't like it. Politicians don't decide who the power is "given" to. The voters do. That's how American democracy works. Biden respects that rule above all else.

A Nazi and potential dictator that is allowed to run for president, then win, should let you know that there are loopholes for evil in this country. And for loopholes like that to exist, that means the system is built to excuse it. Biden respects the same rule that allows evil to run rampant then.

 

[TELL ME YA CHEESIN FAM?]

YOU SEEM TO BE CONFUSED....
ITS NOT THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE THE SAME.
THEYRE VERY DIFFERENT.

ITS THE FACT THAT #BOTHSIDES AINT shyt
AND ITS NOT DEBATABLE.


​

You gonna see how ain't shyt Republicans are next year

 

[⠀X ⠀]

Kamala voters in here like

 

[timeless]

I get the analogy, but the difference is that in a democracy, everybody gets their chance to make a choice, even if it's an awful choice. Blocking someone from power before the process runs its course would undermine the system you're trying to protect. It's more like trying to prevent a bad decision by changing the rules halfway through.

But that wasn't just an analogy. I was legit asking you a question. Sometimes you gotta stop someone or something in its tracks instead of letting it fester. Rules are not written in stone. Even for the average person, sometimes we are forced to break our own rules. Somebody who claims they would never kill a person may go back on that word if their life was at stake.

 

[the bossman]

A Nazi and potential dictator that is allowed to run for president, then win, should let you know that there are loopholes for evil in this country. And for loopholes like that to exist, that means the system is built to excuse it. Biden respects the same rule that allows evil to run rampant then.

Oh yeah . Agree wholeheartedly. Another one to add is WTF is a convicted felon legally allowed to run for president? The founding fathers probably just assumed the people wouldn't be dumb enough to vote for one anyway but here we are.

 

[Pull Up the Roots]

A Nazi and potential dictator that is allowed to run for president, then win, should let you know that there are loopholes for evil in this country. And for loopholes like that to exist, that means the system is built to excuse it. Biden respects the same rule that allows evil to run rampant then.

I agree the system is far from perfect, and it does have too many weaknesses that can be exploited by bad actors. But that's why I think we need to fix it rather than further undermine it. And we need everybody taking it seriously to do it. That's why Democrats have to actually put in meaningful effort to improve outreach, push for real reforms, and stop relying on outdated informal handshake agreements when they control congress. The public perception of just being the "lesser evil" won't cut it. Voters also need to better recognize misinformation, avoid falling for misleading narratives, and stop thinking everything is a joke or that nothing matters.

 

[timeless]

Oh yeah . Agree wholeheartedly. Another one to add is WTF is a convicted felon legally allowed to run for president? The founding fathers probably just assumed the people wouldn't be dumb enough to vote for one anyway but here we are.

That's all I'm saying to be honest. Somebody that is that big of threat shouldn't have even made it to November. For some reason TPTB are okay with him being the necessary evil. I don't know what them old yt men wanted, but seeing as how this country was conquered, I don't put their thoughts and beliefs on a pedestal.