What Have You Done With Mink?

[subdjoe]

Nov 8, 2008 15:10:58 GMT -5 JustMyOpinion said:

surefire understood the intent and I'm not sure why you all don't. My intentions were well intended and sincere, and I was addressing the members here as people that I would like to continue debating with, not Republicans, Democrats, Bush Haters etc. Funny how quickly that intent is spun into something else which is really my initial point after all. We can't just listen to each other and find value in opposing posts, instead we have to rip the content apart and assume the worst of the other guy.

I thought the cat joke was funny, but maybe that's because I am not so consumed with making me right, you wrong... Whatever...

Assume my intent, take a one-sided stance and continue on. I tried...

What you are seeing is a reaction to 8 years of vilification and emotionalism by the left and the lefts refusal to MoveOn from 2000. Now all of a sudden we're all one big happy family, let by gones be by gones, and we all make nice at each other.

I'm seeing an attempt by the left (not just here either) to tell consevatives to put their opinions away, forget their positions and pull with the left for a New Socialist America. Seems that they wanted to be able to play the gadfly, but can't stomach the thought of anyone else doing the same.

If it was good enough for the left for 8 years, why is it suddenly wrong for the right now?

Oh, it's been almost a week, where is my Bubble-up?

[JustMyOpinion]

subdjoe, if you could hear me you would hear the scream of frustration!

Ok, maybe this will work:

We are FREE to think, vote, and express ourselves as we want. HOWEVER, I am ASKING can we PLEASE show some respect for EACH OTHER since this is a valuable platform to exchange ideas and thoughts and is doesn't get any of us anywhere when we vehemently make our points in a volatile manner. I can't even respectfully ask that we give each a little consideration when replying to each other without a barrage of political junk being thrown at me. Why is this such a difficult point to make?

I have praised many of you for your research, knowledge, and have shown respect for you despite differing opinions/values. I have chosen to see the best of what we have to offer each other here instead of the worst and it's wearing thin.

On occasion I too have wanted to say STFU, or wished I had a kiss my ass emoticon but that would be lowering the bar, and I would rather not go there, and in fact I won't. OK? Can we raise the bar a notch?

[subdjoe]

JMO, I know what you are saying and what you want. I assure you that I have been screaming for the same reason for the past year with the mindless chants praising Barry.

Without naming names, the most abusive person on this forum is a certain leftist whos screen name starts with "S". The next would be the right winger who starts his name with a B. The difference between the two is that B will post link after link to sites supporting his position with real numbers, real quotes in context, an honest science. From the other we got mostly HuPo and Kos talking points.

You don't seem to be getting the point that I am trying to make - for 8 years the left has flatly REFUSED to move forward, has refused to use reason (not hear reason, but USE it) , has relied on name calling, vitriol, insults, and lies to hold our Republic back and drown out opposing views.

Now PRESTO we are all supposed to close ranks and MoveOn. I'm saying that the left will now reap what it has sown. I'm not going to go out of my way to insult, but I intend to play by the rules that the left put into play. And for some reason that seems to be wrong now. Why?

Most of the people here, most of the time, are civil to one another. I don't think there is really all that much difference in the tone of this forum between now and six months ago. I have tried, and I think with success, to remain civil. Yeah, the last week or so I have broken out the 'bullshit' flag to throw on a few people here, mostly because the same tired lies that had been debunked years ago kept being trotted out over and over. The same howling, lynch mob chants that we have been hearing for the last 4 years or longer, and will likely keep hearing for a few more years, were being presented as fact. The same lack of consistance, lack of knowledge of history and the Constitution, and the same lack of concern for the same.

Those of us on the right have been subjected to being called fools, racists, homophobes and worse by some of the leftists here. I don't recall much concern about that. I also seem to recall one rightwinger here who seems to gather smites with regularity, even when his posts are backed up with citations of fact.

I do admire your style and willingness to listen. You rarely resort to the emotionalism that is the bread and butter of leftist arguments. You show courtesy to all, and are gracious to those who take the time to post links in support of their position.
So go ahead and TELL us to STFU (heck, say it clear rather than the acromym, I don't care and won't be offended), And tell us to kiss your ass. I really don't see any of the conservatives here deciding they want to be insulted by that occasionally. We likely will shrug and MoveOn.

Yes, keep the insults down. Both sides. But also, expect the conservatives here to bestow upon the left the same level of courtesy we have been treated to by the left over the past few years. Sauce for the goose an all that.

[JustMyOpinion]

subdjoe you said:

You don't seem to be getting the point that I am trying to make - for 8 years the left has flatly REFUSED to move forward, has refused to use reason (not hear reason, but USE it) , has relied on name calling, vitriol, insults, and lies to hold our Republic back and drown out opposing views.

I do understand your frustration. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in life is when trying to get a point across, or handling conflict NEVER resort to anger, or name calling etc. because out of all of the good things, or valid points you may have said to the other person they will remember the negatives first and in the end it distorts your original point, it’s all in delivery. That is one reason why I usually won’t resort to it in the forum because it only fuels more aggravation and it will make it even harder for me to deliver my message, and it’s hard enough as it is.

More:

Most of the people here, most of the time, are civil to one another. I don't think there is really all that much difference in the tone of this forum between now and six months ago.

I don’t agree with you. The tone of the forum turned which would be expected the closer we got to the election, but on occasion anger interfered with communication and snap (inaccurate) judgments were made as a result.

Added: Thank you for your nice words.

[subdjoe]

JMO wrote: "I don’t agree with you. The tone of the forum turned which would be expected the closer we got to the election, but on occasion anger interfered with communication and snap (inaccurate) judgments were made as a result. "

Could be. Maybe because I expected it I didn't notice it as much. Kind of like driving in the rain, you expect the road to be slick, so you just deal with it and don't let it bother you.

[surefire]

JMO is the voice of reason on this board. Thank you again JMO for another great post.

Going down the path of the low road does not help the arguments of either side of the aisle. In fact, it only makes each side look at the other as more out of touch.

Nearly everyone on the board has resulted in going down the low road-- I know I have many times-- all I'm suggesting is working on improving ourselves. I think the forum will only be better if we take the high road more often.

[mink2]

Hi, this is Mink. I've been busy on a project.....and then my computer is down at home. Thanks for thinking of me JMO!!! You two surefire

Don't worry guys and gals....I'll be back ;D

BTW, no matter how many smites I saw I had from work, they can't wipe the smile off my face that came with Obama's win !!! WOOOO-HHOOO

[subdjoe]

Hey, great to hear from you Mink.

[mink2]

Thank you subdjoe!! Keep the campfire burning!

[subdjoe]

You betchem! Not much to eat yet, still waitin' on that shipment of rainbow stew to show up.

[mink2]

I can't post too much from here.

Rainbow stew....heheee

[JustMyOpinion]

Mink, good to see you. Don't work too hard!