Fandom and Politics: Two Great Tastes that DON'T Go Together
This one's only a baby, but the board admin has said it is up for deletion, as it is rather off-topic as well as wanky. So, I am logging it here.

Ecliptic is a George R. R. Martin fan. George R. R. Martin is the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire books -- pretty hefty dark fantasy (which I know from hearsay, I haven't found a copy in my local used bookstore). Ecliptic visits Martin's personal home page. Ecliptic sees a political banner. Ecliptic isn't happy.

Guardians of Order is an RPG company. GoO owns the RPG rights to Martin's books. GoO has a message board on-site, with very strict off-topic rules -- posts should be about RPGs in general and GoO's products specifically, or the admins will delete them.

Ecliptic feels like he needs to vent on the board, and says he doesn't know if he can buy the next book now that he knows. Jeff, the admin, tells him to calm down and that knowing one's favorite author's political views really doens't change how the books are written. He also says that political discussion is off-topic, especially if it turns into a 'Are Insert-Party-Here Evil?' match and there is no reason that we can't all get along. Ecliptic seems to disagree.


Ecliptic:http://www.georgerrmartin.com/

You know I have no problems with people having a political view. I wish people who think they have influence over other people wouldn't try and push their views on other people. This goes for celebrities, muscians, and now I guess authors.

I don't get it, this just kinda turns my stomach. I had the hardcover preordered, maybe I will just get my money back.

Glabutz:Is it the political banner you dislike ?
Did I miss something ?

Ran: It's his personal site, rather than a promotional site.

Can't a person express their political opinions on their personal website? Or is it only those who are famous that shouldn't be allowed to do so?

whisper_jeff: I was watching the Daily Show and they had a Republican Senator on - can't remember which one. The Senator was talking about the current campaigning by both parties and made the comment "We need to view the other side as the opposition, not the enemy." It was one of the most intelligent statements regarding politics I've ever heard.

Just because someone supports the other candidate does not mean they are the enemy. They have a different political view and, like you, should be allowed and _encouraged_ to express it. I don't live in America. I live in America-lite - Canada. I do know, however, that the North American culture is a wonderful one where political freedom and the right to express it is celebrated and cherished. I think punishing someone for being a part of the _opposition_ is not fair.

I appplaud politicians that enourage people to vote - even if it isn't for them - just to vote. I applaud celebrities and others in positions of high-profile who use those positions to encourage people to become politically active. If you disagree with George (as you seem to do), express that disagreement in the right way - vote. Get involved.

I really do not want this to become a political discussion - that's hugely off topic for these boards and if this thread turns into a discussion of "my" politics vs "your" politics, this thread will be shut down and probably deleted. I did, however, want to encourage you to remember that the North American political system is one built on opposition and balance. For this system to work, there must be "your" side and there must be "the other" side. If you disagree with Martin supporting "the other" side, be sure to vote in the coming election.

But always remember, as the senator said, in politics, you should view the other side as the opposition, not the enemy. Not buying his book because you disagree with his political affiliation is treating him like the enemy...

Edit: The Senator that made the quote was John McCain.*

ecliptic:The only reasons for anyone famous to ever push their political views is because they think they have sway over people.

Enemy or opposition? Thats the question. Its kinda hard to view them as only the opposition. As both sides are complete opposites in view. You think the south and north during the US Civil War only saw each other as the opposition? When something like politics makes such an impact in someone elses life. What do you think will happen?

My family is my life blood. What effects my country will effect the future generations of my family. They try to effect the future they will be growing up in, they will be in for a fight.

When you are an author your personal site is a promotional site. Few times do books actually get their own site.

So now by seeing that banner, he ruined the book for me. No longer will I be able to sit down and immerse myself in the book. My mind will always have the Kerry/Edwards banner in it. With it I will do nothing but look for the type of propaganda that shows up in movies all the time.