Both sides of the coin

[Immanuel]

You keep dipping into this "PC" well. Doesn't make a lot of sense. What is it you think "PC" means, as you're using the term?

Second observation: your delivery style contradicts your earlier claim to be reason-based. It's pure emotionality. The jumps to ALL CAPS... the "THEY CAN GO TO HELL" -- is hardly the stuff of cold logic.

PC is political correctness as you already know...........

Which part of my statements on how I don't care about PC don't you understand.........All CAPS, SO WHAT...............

This is not a FACT BASED DISCUSSION...............It's about politeness and PC.......I'm usually Polite on most threads, but when it goes in the toilet I fire back............

This isn't an OP about a subject like the Debt, or Obamacare..........It's about posting in general..................And on those threads I post a lot of reference material to back up my claims..............

Exactly what do I need to post as reference material on this thread.....................

Some PSYCHOLOGY DRIBBLE ARTICLE.............

Either way.......there is a divide in this country......The Libs are refusing to budge on principles but demanding that we do.................Excuse me for telling them to get lost until they come to the table.............With real cuts and COMPROMISE...............As all they do is say OBEY all the time, which we refuse to do so.........

And again, I have no reason to be polite to those calling my stance on Gov't Anarchists and Nazi's.................

Take this post and my way of posting any way you like..........What ever floats your boat.

Yeah we all know what the abbreviation "PC" stands for -- but what does it mean?

The OP never mentioned "PC" at all. You're the only one that keeps going there. And from the way you're using it I don't think you understand what it means. And your inability to explain it pretty much confirms that. Perhaps you need a synonym but as it is you're not making much sense here.

It means giving up your freedom in order to conform.

I support civil unions for all. I do not support "gay marriage" unless a church decides to marry a gay couple. The PC crowd insists that my beliefs are anti-homosexual and declare me "homophobic" because I believe marriage is a religious rite. If being called homophobic bothers me, I have to accept the constraints they put upon me or suffer the consequences. Same thing with believing that a child's life supersedes a woman's desire to abort. Because of that belief, I am anti-woman.

To avoid being ostracized, smokers must submit to the PC crowd and give up a nasty habit they may have succumbed to decades ago.

I despise the N-word and will not use it myself. I dislike the racist trolls on this site. However, I do not believe I have the right to make them conform to my wishes... the PC crowd does. Give up your freedom to be whoever you are, good or bad, or be bullied by the PC crowd. That is the essence of giving up your freedoms. Edit: and what is even worse is that they are starting to use the force of law to require our conformity.

Immie

 

[koshergrl]

I suggest that everyone who posts on message boards wants, at some level, to be respected. At least respected and at best admired. Do you not think that you forfeit respect when you call people names and are 'generally being obnoxious'? This seems so obvious to me that I cannot understand why others find it so difficult to grasp this rather simple concept.

I can grasp the concept just fine it's just that the concept doesn't necessarily reflect reality. I agree that there are those who wish to be respected, however I am not one of them and I know that there are a large number if people here who feel the way that I do. In addition, even though I probably get little respect from some people, I know that there are others that I do get respect from. It's a wash basically.

The people I call names and act obnoxious to are not people that I care what they think about me. In fact I learned a long time ago that you cannot control what others think and it is a waste of your time to try.

So given that verbal abuse is counterproductive to making reasoned ponts, you're saying your purpose here is not to make any particular argumentative point, but to feel good about yourself by abusing others. Which I think is what the OP wants to explain -- why that would be a goal at all.

And wouldn't it be swell if we could just have this talk, rather than degenerating into partisan bullshit?

Ta.

Hmmm, isn't that what the Tea Room or Coffee Shop or whatever that thread is called, is for?

Absolutely not. Political talk is firmly verboten there. Same in the Tavern. Ask Libertarianman how that goes down. In both threads.

The Tavern does not forbid any mention of politics. It is discouraged to engage in drawn out debate, or to bring arguments from other threads in there, or to reference other threads/posters who are not in the tavern.

 

[Pogo]

I'm not sure you're in the class of poster I'm thinking about. At least I don't remember you being that way.

Yeah, I freely admit to being obnoxious on a regular basis.

Hmmm, I should pay closer attention. However, I was referring to seriously hateful personas -- like the kinds of people who say they are against abortion unless the child in the womb is mixed race. Or to think of a non-nazi/KKK example: people who claim to be Muslim but who seem to be determined to increase tension between Muslims and non-Muslims just for grins.

Would just like to salute Amelia for being exactly the type of poster mentioned earlier who can be on the complete opposite side of the argument yet keep it both rational and respectful. Peterf as well.

Sometimes it just takes a reach-out. Get to know a poster off the boards in non-neg PMs, and surprisingly many turn out to be actually human.

Not always though -- like the negative side, it takes two.

 

[PredFan]

I'm not sure you're in the class of poster I'm thinking about. At least I don't remember you being that way.

Yeah, I freely admit to being obnoxious on a regular basis.

Hmmm, I should pay closer attention. However, I was referring to seriously hateful personas -- like the kinds of people who say they are against abortion unless the child in the womb is mixed race. Or to think of a non-nazi/KKK example: people who claim to be Muslim but who seem to be determined to increase tension between Muslims and non-Muslims just for grins.

I see, but I'm not sure that that is the only subject of this thread. Boop said she wanted to hear from those of us who are abusive in our posts, I've been doing that. I don't hate because of skin color, sexual orientation, or gender, and I'm a libertarian so I'm pro-choice in all circumstances. I hate a couple of specific things in posters here; lies and deliberate ignorance. Those people will get the brunt of my abuse.

 

[Pogo]

PC is political correctness as you already know...........

Which part of my statements on how I don't care about PC don't you understand.........All CAPS, SO WHAT...............

This is not a FACT BASED DISCUSSION...............It's about politeness and PC.......I'm usually Polite on most threads, but when it goes in the toilet I fire back............

This isn't an OP about a subject like the Debt, or Obamacare..........It's about posting in general..................And on those threads I post a lot of reference material to back up my claims..............

Exactly what do I need to post as reference material on this thread.....................

Some PSYCHOLOGY DRIBBLE ARTICLE.............

Either way.......there is a divide in this country......The Libs are refusing to budge on principles but demanding that we do.................Excuse me for telling them to get lost until they come to the table.............With real cuts and COMPROMISE...............As all they do is say OBEY all the time, which we refuse to do so.........

And again, I have no reason to be polite to those calling my stance on Gov't Anarchists and Nazi's.................

Take this post and my way of posting any way you like..........What ever floats your boat.

Yeah we all know what the abbreviation "PC" stands for -- but what does it mean?

The OP never mentioned "PC" at all. You're the only one that keeps going there. And from the way you're using it I don't think you understand what it means. And your inability to explain it pretty much confirms that. Perhaps you need a synonym but as it is you're not making much sense here.

It means giving up your freedom in order to conform.

I support civil unions for all. I do not support "gay marriage" unless a church decides to marry a gay couple. The PC crowd insists that my beliefs are anti-homosexual and declare me "homophobic" because I believe marriage is a religious rite. If being called homophobic bothers me, I have to accept the constraints they put upon me or suffer the consequences. Same thing with believing that a child's life supersedes a woman's desire to abort. Because of that belief, I am anti-woman.

To avoid being ostracized, smokers must submit to the PC crowd and give up a nasty habit they may have succumbed to decades ago.

I despise the N-word and will not use it myself. I dislike the racist trolls on this site. However, I do not believe I have the right to make them conform to my wishes... the PC crowd does. Give up your freedom to be whoever you are, good or bad, or be bullied by the PC crowd. That is the essence of giving up your freedoms

Immie

Actually that question is for Eagle -- he's the one who keeps using it.

 

[Pogo]

I can grasp the concept just fine it's just that the concept doesn't necessarily reflect reality. I agree that there are those who wish to be respected, however I am not one of them and I know that there are a large number if people here who feel the way that I do. In addition, even though I probably get little respect from some people, I know that there are others that I do get respect from. It's a wash basically.

The people I call names and act obnoxious to are not people that I care what they think about me. In fact I learned a long time ago that you cannot control what others think and it is a waste of your time to try.

So given that verbal abuse is counterproductive to making reasoned ponts, you're saying your purpose here is not to make any particular argumentative point, but to feel good about yourself by abusing others. Which I think is what the OP wants to explain -- why that would be a goal at all.

Hmmm, isn't that what the Tea Room or Coffee Shop or whatever that thread is called, is for?

Absolutely not. Political talk is firmly verboten there. Same in the Tavern. Ask Libertarianman how that goes down. In both threads.

The Tavern does not forbid any mention of politics. It is discouraged to engage in drawn out debate, or to bring arguments from other threads in there, or to reference other threads/posters who are not in the tavern.

Again -- ask Libertarianman what kind of reaction he got when he kept inserting a political tag line in the Tavern. From multiple Taverners. Or go have a look -- it was only about a week ago.

 

[Immanuel]

Yeah we all know what the abbreviation "PC" stands for -- but what does it mean?

The OP never mentioned "PC" at all. You're the only one that keeps going there. And from the way you're using it I don't think you understand what it means. And your inability to explain it pretty much confirms that. Perhaps you need a synonym but as it is you're not making much sense here.

It means giving up your freedom in order to conform.

I support civil unions for all. I do not support "gay marriage" unless a church decides to marry a gay couple. The PC crowd insists that my beliefs are anti-homosexual and declare me "homophobic" because I believe marriage is a religious rite. If being called homophobic bothers me, I have to accept the constraints they put upon me or suffer the consequences. Same thing with believing that a child's life supersedes a woman's desire to abort. Because of that belief, I am anti-woman.

To avoid being ostracized, smokers must submit to the PC crowd and give up a nasty habit they may have succumbed to decades ago.

I despise the N-word and will not use it myself. I dislike the racist trolls on this site. However, I do not believe I have the right to make them conform to my wishes... the PC crowd does. Give up your freedom to be whoever you are, good or bad, or be bullied by the PC crowd. That is the essence of giving up your freedoms

Immie

Actually that question is for Eagle -- he's the one who keeps using it.

I know, but I just had to throw in my .75 cents worth.

Immie

 

[PredFan]

I suggest that everyone who posts on message boards wants, at some level, to be respected. At least respected and at best admired. Do you not think that you forfeit respect when you call people names and are 'generally being obnoxious'? This seems so obvious to me that I cannot understand why others find it so difficult to grasp this rather simple concept.

I can grasp the concept just fine it's just that the concept doesn't necessarily reflect reality. I agree that there are those who wish to be respected, however I am not one of them and I know that there are a large number if people here who feel the way that I do. In addition, even though I probably get little respect from some people, I know that there are others that I do get respect from. It's a wash basically.

The people I call names and act obnoxious to are not people that I care what they think about me. In fact I learned a long time ago that you cannot control what others think and it is a waste of your time to try.

So given that verbal abuse is counterproductive to making reasoned ponts, you're saying your purpose here is not to make any particular argumentative point, but to feel good about yourself by abusing others. Which I think is what the OP wants to explain -- why that would be a goal at all.

And wouldn't it be swell if we could just have this talk, rather than degenerating into partisan bullshit?

Ta.

Hmmm, isn't that what the Tea Room or Coffee Shop or whatever that thread is called, is for?

Absolutely not. Political talk is firmly verboten there. Same in the Tavern. Ask Libertarianman how that goes down. In both threads.

I have stated repeatedly that I do not come here to try to change the minds of lefties. It cannot be done. Neither do I come here to get my opinions validated by anyone. I do not require that. I come here to network with other conservatives, aid them in their effort to counter the left wing nuttery (as futile as that may be), and the only reasons I ever respond to lefties is in case they make a point that needs debunking for the benefit of the conservative readers or when I just want to point and laugh at them.

Often times if I start a thread, I feel an obligation to respond to posts in my thread and I will do so.

 

[PredFan]

Some times I am embarrassed by people - not you as I recall - who are on the same side of an argument as me. On boards, as in personal contact, I find it necessary to distance myself from the abusive and the foul mouthed.

As your post above demonstrates you are perfectly able to express yourself intelligently and interestingly so why on earth would you deliberately descend from this high standard? Why emulate semi-literate oafs?

An excellent question!

Because this topic isn't politically biased. As you have noted in your agreement with Boop. When I have to deal with partisan crap, it brings out the worst in me. People like that cannot be bargained with, cannot be reasoned with, and will never ever change their position. Why try? Just have fun I say.

Your position is admirable, I applaud you for that but that doesn't mean my position is wrong and while I give you kudos for your position and principles, I do not care to emulate them.

-- actually... yeah it does mean that.

No, it doesn't. Your turn.

 

[koshergrl]

So given that verbal abuse is counterproductive to making reasoned ponts, you're saying your purpose here is not to make any particular argumentative point, but to feel good about yourself by abusing others. Which I think is what the OP wants to explain -- why that would be a goal at all.




Absolutely not. Political talk is firmly verboten there. Same in the Tavern. Ask Libertarianman how that goes down. In both threads.

The Tavern does not forbid any mention of politics. It is discouraged to engage in drawn out debate, or to bring arguments from other threads in there, or to reference other threads/posters who are not in the tavern.

Again -- ask Libertarianman what kind of reaction he got when he kept inserting a political tag line in the Tavern. From multiple Taverners. Or go have a look -- it was only about a week ago.

Multiple taverners think they are in a position to dictate, and think they have better understanding than they actually do.

And as I said, it's not the place for straight up debate or dragging stuff from other threads.

But syrenn has clarified more than once on this topic. You should get your cues from her, rather than the self-proclaimed experts...most of whom have only started posting there recently.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

You who, blacksand?

Honestly ... No Offense Gracie ... You have a good heart, as well as Boop 85% of the time and almost always Cabbie.
It is just that somehow people think sugar-coating the ill things they say and feel towards others somehow makes it different than what they mean ... It doesn't.

If someone wants to be ugly ... It doesn't matter what their intentions are or how they say it ... They are still being ugly.
The only thing that is really different is that they are being ugly and self-righteous at the same time.

If you want to start a fight ... Expect to get hit ... And don't cry when you do.

.

Except real debate is not supposed to be about starting a fight, and it is not supposed to be about demonizing a person, it's supposed to be about vigorously defending your ideas/ideals by applying logic and at the same time, deconstructing the ideas/ ideals of your opponent by using logic as well.

Two great debators should be able to shake hands before and after a really rough and rugged debate and not think ill of each other.

An opponent is not an enemy.

Making someone else the "demon" just because he does not share your ideology or culture is the cheap way out, imo. It requires the least energy of all. So, essentially, trolls are lazy asses.

What makes you think that throwing around an insult, or even profanity, means you can't shake hands after the debate?

It is nice to pretend that people are actually Vulcans, and that they can approach a subject they care deeply about without getting passionate, but even Vulcans can't do that. Personally, I would much rather let my passion out to emphasize my point, even if that means throwing an insult or two when it is justified, and still being able to treat the person I am arguing about with respect when we aren't arguing. That is impossible, for me, when the other person insists that I cannot express my emotions.

If you need evidence of how that really works watch C-SPAN sometime. Every member of Congress that gets to a leadership position has training in debating tactics and they all insult each other. Up until recently, the leaders were willing to put aside the things they said when it came time to work together, until one side suddenly decided that being civil trumps passion. The result is a Congress that is hamstrung by one side demanding that the other side conform to their rules, yet allows their members to demonize the other side for not conforming.

If you really hate the concept of making someone the demon just because you don't agree with them, you will stop pretending that you have a right to demand that other people conform to your fake standards. If you seriously want to have real debate with the other side, stop pretending you are better than them. Let them see how you feel about whatever it is you are discussing, express the total contempt you feel when an idiot says something stupid, and live free.

Funny thing, when you start expressing contempt whenever it is deserved, even when it is toward people who are attempting to defend your position by making stupid arguments, you are better able to separate your feelings for the position from your feelings for the person. I have argued with almost everyone on this board at some point, quite vehemently in most cases, but am more than willing to defend any of them when I believe they are right. I am passionate about my opinions, and will not hide that passion simply because a few idiots take it personally.

The world does not work that way, live with it.

For instance, Tank wrote this:

Personally, I think the ignore function is a very good option

You have reality on ignore

Instead of attacking the idea, he attacked the person. That is the cheap way out. And notice the Nazi who thanked him for his input. That speaks volumes.

Hey, @Tank, instead of attacking a person, why not bring some information to the table?

What makes you think he has information to bring?

Don't get me wrong, he occasionally says some very insightful things, and I have even pos repped him for something he said, but he is uninformed and one dimensional and is more than willing to go out of his way to avoid learning things. There are way too many people like that in the world, and you cannot change them simply by pretending that they aren't what they are.

 

[Amelia]

Some things make me seriously angry. Blood boiling, (virtual) wall punching angry. Sometimes I'm willing to express those feelings in an understated manner but sometimes I let loose. Then people say I've changed. But I haven't changed. I'm conscious of the dangers associated with hyperbole -- danger to the atmosphere, danger to the goals one ostensibly favors and danger to one's own cognitive processes -- so I take some care. And usually I enjoy calm discussions, often with an element of rigor. But sometimes I enjoy lobbing hand grenades. It's not a change. There's a time for every purpose.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I've been mulling over why some people give themselves permission to be complete asphedoras online, and further why it is expected that we should just tolerate it.

Or why we should have to read every post that flies, or else we "don't want to hear opposing opinions."

@Gracie - I just found this.



Personally, I think the ignore function is a very good option for avoiding the trolls, white supremacists, and others who just generally live her to wreak havoc. But as stated in the first sentence, I am curious as to why any adult would use this place as where they go to take a verbal dump whenever they are in the mood.

Obviously, this isn't just happening here. It's a worldwide phenomenon of "Nobody knows who I am, so here's my ass." But shouldn't there be some button in their brain that says "Mentally healthy people don't act like this?" And that question would go double to anybody who claims to be a follower of any given spiritual belief system.

I guess the bottom line I would like to ask any trolls who are willing to be honest - what do you tell yourself that makes such antisocial behavior acceptable, in your mind.

Any educated guesses, links and/or articles from non-trolls are welcome as well.

@Statistikhengst
@Derideo_Te

You meanie. You made me look up "asphedoras". I dropped into Google and Google sent me right back here. And to several other threads on other boards.

Next question: if you're asking trolls who are willing to be honest..... why was I invited? As a judge I presume...?

I suspect it's simply people getting carried away with emotions. That's like a drug that clouds everything else. You can't have a rational thought when you're drowning in anger.

Having said that I'd like to find a way to use asphedoras in a sentence...

"Harry Truman is a haberdasher. He asphedoras."

Ahem.

An Asphedoras is a prehistoric creature, one of the ugliest that ever existed. It looked like an anatomical inversion, where it's ass what where it's face was supposed to be.

Word has it that Asphedorii stank so bad that even the biggest of Dinos gave them a wide berth.

Some claim that a couple of Asphedorii survived, as Neo-Asphorites, but this is not yet confirmed. Some sightings have been claimed to be made:

But as I said, this has not yet been confirmed.

Others claim that Asphedora is actually an herb that causes anal warts.

Take yer pick.

You argue that we should never attack people, then use a picture of a real person simply to make a stupid joke. Do uyou see why I refuse to let you dictate how I talk to the scumbags that demand something from me they don't give to others?

In case you missed it, I just called you a scumbag.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

People post the stuff they do online because they cam hide behind a keyboard. If they said those things in real life they'd get their tickets punched.

Funny how many people tell me the same fucking thing in real life. One of these days I will figure out who it is that is going to punch me simply for caring about something.

 

[Derideo_Te]

To HELL with Political Correctness.............When Ideals are so opposite, there is WAR........And in a War of words there will be mean things said and mud slinging. It's the nature of the beast..............

There is a divide in this country...........A line in the sand of opposing positions....Both sides dedicated to their core principles............In the fight, feelings will get hurt and words will be said...............

Tank's comments aren't wrong..........He believes that the Liberal mindset escapes REALITY...........and I agree....................

Should PC demand that he shouldn't say that.........It is his opinion, and I agree.........I post based on beliefs, REALITY, logic, and Reason..............NOT EMOTION...........and thus the divide............

Politeness is not Political Correctness. Understand this and your posts will be worth reading. You appear to value reason over emotion. Good! Abuse is occasioned by emotion and will not be resorted to by the reasonable.

I have been posting on various boards since the 90's.......During that time I've played nice and Polite all the time.....................

However, when they call us Anarchists for our opinions, Nazi's and the like which is done all the time I have no REASON to PLAY NICE.................

I ditch PC...............To me it is utter BS..........I can be polite, and often I am just as I can throw mud with the best of them............

These LIBS always say WE NEED TO COMPROMISE WITH THEM..............aka Do as I say and OBEY.........Get to the back of the bus........ignore our facts and REASON all the time..........and when we refuse to OBEY they simply LIE and call us names..............

They have refused to cut ANYTHING EXCEPT Sequster which was an Obama plan.........and then cry like babies about a 1% cut as they increase the size of Gov't.

That isn't compromise...........It isn't compromise when they purposely ignore the Damage done by Obamacare, and the Debt problem..............

They can spare me the Faux Outrage on this issue...........When they finally come to the table with REASONABLE approaches to BIG GOV'T, then we can talk.......Until then THEY CAN GO TO HELL...........

That's the deal..............

Anyone who doesn't like it can iggy me, or simply choose not to engage..........But should they decide to engage, I will not back down on my principles..........And when they call me Anarchist and a Nazi..................they will get it back from me.

So your position about "BIG GOV'T" is 100% correct and everyone else can "CAN GO TO HELL" until they are willing to "compromise" by agreeing with you?

Do you have any idea how that sounds to normal, sane, reasonable people?

Blacksand is right that we cannot control how others will perceive what we post.

So the onus is on US to make sure that we express ourselves as clearly and concisely as possible. Something that is virtually impossible to do when the vocabulary range is restricted to vulgarities.

So let's try a little experiment here.

Your position is that "BIG GOV'T" is the problem. You want to downsize the government. Exactly how small do want to make it? Are you with Grover Norquist who wants to make it small enough to drown in a bathtub? Put something on the table and say exactly how small you want it to be by stipulating exactly what you will eliminate and justify how those services will be provided to We the People once they are no longer part of this "SMALL GOV'T" that you insist is the only alternative. But have you done that? Is there actually a feasible and viable "SMALL GOV'T" alternative that caters for all of the existing programs and services and ensures that We the People will not suffer any short or long term harm from your "SMALL GOV'T"? So far I have never seen any such proposal. All I have seen is a whole heap of blame piled upon "BIG GOV'T" opponents but nothing in the way of realistic alternatives.​

So what are the results of that little experiment?

1. There is no viable "SMALL GOV'T" alternative.
2. Since there is viable alternative there can never be a "SMALL GOV'T" solution.
3. The whole concept is nothing more than a way to rile people up and get them angry for partisan political purposes.
4. Your anger and rage is being used by the powers that be to turn you against your fellow Americans.​

To summarize, your excuse for using vulgarities is that you are standing on an untenable position and you blame everyone else for not drinking the same Koolaid.

So ask yourself if you continue to stick to your extreme position are you ever going to get what you want? Or would you be better off at least getting at least some of what you want if you cannot get all of it?

 

[Spoonman]

Excellent points!! What is to be gained by keeping us at each other's throats? Then we won't be looking at what is actually happening with the man behind the curtain. We won't be holding Washington responsible, and they can quite literally get away with murder while aiming us at each other.

polarization has set in. and is going to be something that is real hard to break. the real problem is politicians no longer have minds for themselves. in Washington, you either tow the party line or you are out. Not every democrat believes in gun control and not every republican believes in preventing gay marriage. but the problem is partisan politics force politicians to support the party line. and that is what leads to the public galvanizing to the right or left. as soon as an issue you are very passionate about becomes a topic of discussion you are pushed to either the right or left, because you know one part is going to fully support you or oppose you. There is no middle ground

[MENTION=24208]Spoonman[/MENTION]

As very strongly evidenced by the disappearance of Blue Dog DEMS and Rockefeller Republicans. Another two more blue dogs announced their retirements in the last days.

And just to think: in 1976, Ronald Reagan, in a parliamentary trick at the GOP national convention, went out of his way to pick the man who would be his running-mate, were he to secure the nomination and take it away from incumbent Pres. Gerald R. Ford. That man's name: Richard Schweiker, a LIBERAL Republican from the state of Pennsylvania. Reagan went so far as to force a vote on the floor to force Ford to declare his running mate before the balloting for the Presidential nomination, a move that lost, but gave the convention the "look" of a 2nd ballot nomination. It also, of course, forced the nomination, which Ford won by around 100 delegates, to go way into the night.

I will say that again: just 38 years ago, the man whom many Conservatives consider the greatest Conservative icon of all time WENT OUT OF HIS WAY to select a decidedly liberal running mate at the Convention. Back then, Ronald Reagan calculated that this would be to his advantage, and not to his detriment.

Not only is that utter irony of history, but also shows how much we have changed as a nation in 2 generations.

there was a time when the top vote getter became the president and the 2nd became the vice president. maybe that wasn't such a bad idea.

 

[Pogo]

I can grasp the concept just fine it's just that the concept doesn't necessarily reflect reality. I agree that there are those who wish to be respected, however I am not one of them and I know that there are a large number if people here who feel the way that I do. In addition, even though I probably get little respect from some people, I know that there are others that I do get respect from. It's a wash basically.

The people I call names and act obnoxious to are not people that I care what they think about me. In fact I learned a long time ago that you cannot control what others think and it is a waste of your time to try.

So given that verbal abuse is counterproductive to making reasoned ponts, you're saying your purpose here is not to make any particular argumentative point, but to feel good about yourself by abusing others. Which I think is what the OP wants to explain -- why that would be a goal at all.

Hmmm, isn't that what the Tea Room or Coffee Shop or whatever that thread is called, is for?

Absolutely not. Political talk is firmly verboten there. Same in the Tavern. Ask Libertarianman how that goes down. In both threads.

I have stated repeatedly that I do not come here to try to change the minds of lefties. It cannot be done. Neither do I come here to get my opinions validated by anyone. I do not require that. I come here to network with other conservatives, aid them in their effort to counter the left wing nuttery (as futile as that may be), and the only reasons I ever respond to lefties is in case they make a point that needs debunking for the benefit of the conservative readers or when I just want to point and laugh at them.

Often times if I start a thread, I feel an obligation to respond to posts in my thread and I will do so.

So we're in agreement about why you're here. That's not a mystery.
What we wonder about is why that's why you're here. Because you need an echo chamber? That's it?

Because if that's it.... you're losing out. Big time.

 

[kiwiman127]

The best board I ever posted on was The Atlantic's board about ten years ago.
There, any form of flaming was not tolerated, period. That attracted some very intelligent posters from all sides of the aisle and from all over the world. Needless to say the discussions were extremely intelligent and informative. I spent quite a bit of my free time there because it was so invigorating. On several occasions these discussions impacted my opinion of a topic.
There are some days on log on here, read a few threads and bail. I get really tired of the screamers throwing insults and hate sans anything intelligent to add to the topic. It's talking points-arama here some days with the same exact fact-less talking points being spewed over and over by several different posters. And of course the flaming is spreading like wildfire.
I am happy to say that the poster population at USMB doesn't represent the demographics of the real world.

 

[Pogo]

The Tavern does not forbid any mention of politics. It is discouraged to engage in drawn out debate, or to bring arguments from other threads in there, or to reference other threads/posters who are not in the tavern.

Again -- ask Libertarianman what kind of reaction he got when he kept inserting a political tag line in the Tavern. From multiple Taverners. Or go have a look -- it was only about a week ago.

Multiple taverners think they are in a position to dictate, and think they have better understanding than they actually do.

And as I said, it's not the place for straight up debate or dragging stuff from other threads.

But syrenn has clarified more than once on this topic. You should get your cues from her, rather than the self-proclaimed experts...most of whom have only started posting there recently.

Actually Syrenn is where I took my cue from in that case.

Never mind, it's not worth beating to death; the point was for PredFan anyway.

 

[Pogo]

Some things make me seriously angry. Blood boiling, (virtual) wall punching angry. Sometimes I'm willing to express those feelings in an understated manner but sometimes I let loose. Then people say I've changed. But I haven't changed. I'm conscious of the dangers associated with hyperbole -- danger to the atmosphere, danger to the goals one ostensibly favors and danger to one's own cognitive processes -- so I take some care. And usually I enjoy calm discussions, often with an element of rigor. But sometimes I enjoy lobbing hand grenades. It's not a change. There's a time for every purpose.

OK, then I take back the nice things I said about you, ya hothead maniac.