Why did America become so partisan?

[Savonarola]

A-Team, right wing? WHAT KIND OF SHIT IS THAT? They helped migrants in one episode for christ sakes.

Likewise GI Joe had Eco-Warriors who hunted down environmental criminals and toxo-zombies.

[Martinus]

Or with the trend to self-segregate in like minded communities.

I thought America was built on this principle. Only in America you could have stuff like Rhode Island, Las Vegas and dry counties - in most Western countries it would be impossible, due to laws regulating such stuff as alcohol or gambling being national.

[Martinus]

I blame the end of communism. With the demise of the Soviet Union, America ceased to have a single powerful enemy and Americans ended up at each other's throats.

[Savonarola]

Neil's avatar exploiting the culture wars and racial tension.  The Republican Party of the last 40 years has essentially been hardened by 40 years of success into a glittering jewel of Nixonian insanity.

Another victory for right and justice.   

[Barrister]

I blame the end of communism. With the demise of the Soviet Union, America ceased to have a single powerful enemy and Americans ended up at each other's throats.

Nah, there were plenty of partisan culture wars in the 70s and 80s.  Even vis-a-vis the USSR, between the right who agreed that they were the "Evil Empire" and the left who did not.  Even the whole "Evil Empire" line from Reagan was quite controversial at the time.

[crazy canuck]

I blame the end of communism. With the demise of the Soviet Union, America ceased to have a single powerful enemy and Americans ended up at each other's throats.

You werent around for the 80s were you.

[katmai]

I blame the end of communism. With the demise of the Soviet Union, America ceased to have a single powerful enemy and Americans ended up at each other's throats.

You werent around for the 80s were you.

I think he was hiding behind a curtain.

[Ed Anger]

A-Team, right wing? WHAT KIND OF SHIT IS THAT? They helped migrants in one episode for christ sakes.

Likewise GI Joe had Eco-Warriors who hunted down environmental criminals and toxo-zombies.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT? ECO WARRIORS? FUCKING CAPTAIN PLANET BULLSHIT.

Excuse me. 

[Sheilbh]

The Americans will set me straight but my impression is that Clinton was a polarizing force  in American politics and that polarization remains to this day.

I think that's a valid thesis.  Clinton opened the old Vietnam era wounds and the following administrations can be seen as revenge cycles.

Was it Clinton's fault or just that he was the first of that generation and a draft-dodging pot-smoker to boot?

[Admiral Yi]

Was it Clinton's fault or just that he was the first of that generation and a draft-dodging pot-smoker to boot?

I don't think it was anything he did during his presidency if that's what you mean.

[Neil]

Serpentor sucks.

I dunno.  They did a neat Cobra Civil War storyline in the comics where Cobra Commander, Serpentor and Destro all went to war against each other.  It was neat.

That said, I prefer Cobra Commander.

[Sheilbh]

Was it Clinton's fault or just that he was the first of that generation and a draft-dodging pot-smoker to boot?

I don't think it was anything he did during his presidency if that's what you mean.

Yeah, I meant was it a policy or just him.  I think maybe it could have been both.  As I say, from what I understand he had a torrid nominations experience (how many AG noms?) and I think he tried gays in the military very early.  So maybe, in early February people were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  By April initial concerns about his personality/past were reawakened or reinforced by his early mistakes.

[Caliga]

That said, I prefer Cobra Commander.

Zartan > Destro > Cobra Commander > Serpentor.

[BuddhaRhubarb]

good thread... I'm loving the parallel GIJOE hijack.

I'd say most of the reasons given have some merit. You can't underestimate the role of the media which has gone from literate  and understanding of the issues in the 60's 70's to where they are now - Shrill alarmists walking around screaming about the sky falling (and how that's "the other guys' fault")

The media these days have very little credibility in terms of really knowing whats going on.

[dps]

Was it Clinton's fault or just that he was the first of that generation and a draft-dodging pot-smoker to boot?

I don't think it was anything he did during his presidency if that's what you mean.

Yeah, I meant was it a policy or just him.  I think maybe it could have been both.  As I say, from what I understand he had a torrid nominations experience (how many AG noms?) and I think he tried gays in the military very early.  So maybe, in early February people were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  By April initial concerns about his personality/past were reawakened or reinforced by his early mistakes.

I think it was him more than his policies.  Don't blame me;  I voted for Tsongas in the primary.