Ask HN: Should HN be apolitical in the current environment?

[biolurker1]

“maybe I’ll sign an executive order that you cannot have him(Biden) as your president.” Trump 20/9/2020.

Until when turning a blind eye is prudent? This is hopefully one of the most educated and forward looking places online. Should bright minds discuss and try to avert disasters? This was said from the head of the most powerful nuclear power. It's an outright anti-democratic statement.

[KKPMW]

Real threats and serious political discussions have their place, but this is just political theatre before the upcoming election.

> This is hopefully one of the most educated and forward looking places online.

If a person would think this remark about executive order was made as a threat, or that it has a real possibility of passing, or even if the current president is serious about acting on it, I would subconsciously exclude that person from the "one of the most educated" group.

[lostlogin]

> but this is just political theatre before the upcoming election.

If the option was there for the taking, would he do it?

[JMTQp8lwXL]

I disagree with the assertion that characterizing attacks on democratic institutions is a form of political theatre. It is similar to classifying them as 'jokes' (as has been done in other comments): it ignores the context in which the statement was made in a somewhat myopic way. I understand people like the President because he will "tell it like it is", which might mean using simple language when engaging in foreign policy, or having uncommon views on public policy. His attacks are credible, unfortunately. Courts have ruled against Trump's executive orders and actions much more frequently than past presidents, suggestive that his actions and words are quite intentional.

[JMTQp8lwXL]

There is no doubt there are questions we should be asking about the integrity of our democratic institutions. However, the guidelines are pretty clear about HN not being a political soapbox. The retort might be, but threats to democracy aren't political soapboxing, and I'd tend to agree-- the existence of free speech allows a place like HN to flourish. But there are many, many avenues for having these sorts of discussions with intellectuals, outside of HN.

[erentz]

I sympathize with what you’re saying. There are points at which actively avoiding politics is being complicit with what is happening. But I think to understand that people need to have more interest in history, and really have strong democratic values. If people don’t and won’t then they will just continue to rationalize and find excuses for everything while the pot slowly continues to boil. Too many people seem think that democracies end and authoritarian regimes happen in big/quick and obvious events. Too many people value power more than democracy and think power by any means will only hurt their “enemies.” So many ignore or foolishly support the slide into authoritarianism. The situation here in the US is complex with so many factors at play, and not all of it is unique. There seems to have been a surge in authoritarian sentiment in many countries over the past decade. To ignore it is peril IMO. But I don’t know how HN could be the place to address this. It would require strong moderation. It would require HN (the community) to first even agree that we have a problem.

[poormystic]

If you feel that the power of democracy is insufficient to assure you of your safety in speaking freely you might conclude that the democracy is a sham and further that you might be safest keeping your mouth shut. What motivates people to seek public justice? Is justice more important to you than self-interest? If your values drive you to publicly attack injustice despite your personal interests then attacking injustice is what you must do. Yours is a question you could answer by referring to the values by which you live. Those who would serve Justice often exhibit great courage, while, perhaps, those who do not respond to the call gain wealth at the cost of self-disgust.

[spicyramen]

That was a joke, I watched his rally. Why take jokes so seriously? And yes this is about tech not political opinions, anyways living in SV, you can't be conservative, and is just an echo chamber, so yes let's keep this apolitical and talk about tech, there are other forums to discuss politics

[biolurker1]

Until one day SV is part of an authoritarian regime that the President took over as he specifically said has the power to do so? Would you dismiss jokes from other such présidents before they assumed total power? That's naive at least

[chrisco255]

Trump said that clearly as a joke. I watched the rally and it should still be ok to make jokes, last time I checked.

[biolurker1]

What's the limit of a joke? Putin saying he will Tsar bomb NY would qualify as a joke, if he said that smiling?