If you think the D&D is one of the most left-leaning sites you must not get around much on the Internet.
Also if you think this is the most left leaning site while there might be more liberal posters than conservative what they lack in number they make up for in quantity of posts and thread titles. Just look at today's first page.
Does it seem to anyone else that the 'ad hominem attack one-uping' has gone to a new level in the past 2 months? Most thread-debates boil down to something senseless as but the other side... arguments. I blame the coming elections. News media must be manufacturing whatever helps to get people moving in the right direction.
Watching Sandy weather footage, I hope all of our New York City / East Coast posters are unharmed and their dwellings / possessions escape unscathed. Be well.
The forum is quickly devolving into nothing more than people telling others how stupid they are. This is neither Debate nor Discussion. Can we delete such posts and warn/ban those making them?
I think that's an excellent idea. I'm not a mod, but if I were a mod, I would start with removing thread starting priviledges for both basso and bigtexxx. Not anywhere else, because I usually enjoy their posts outside of this forum, but in D&D, where they post to troll, deliberately trying to make their fellow members angry. In my opinion, of course. I could give examples, but I'm not going to. Not here. I wouldn't prevent them from posting in D&D, just stop them from creating threads. There are a couple of others of similar ilk, but those two are the primary offenders, IMO.
No, that's not what I meant. Provocation (what people who disagree call trolling) and evoking anger are bound to happen when people have strong opinions about things. I'm talking about "you're an idiot" posts, or variants of the same.
I strongly suspect Commodore is posting this now because yes there is a lot of gloating among those of us who supported Obama, and I will admit that I am one of them. That said If you are upset about trolling where was this concern when for the last month we have several posters declaring the election D-O-N-E and offering no evidence other than their gut for why? Where was the concern when several posters posts consisted primarily of the use of the term "libtard"? Did you consider those trolling? I will admit that my side is not always conducting themselves with the class we should, and I will include myself in there. This argument that we hear every now and then that the other side is victimized by liberal thuggery doesn't hold when you see what is coming out of the other side. Howabout this. If you disagree with someone you provide a structured argument and evidence about why you think they are wrong. I can't speak for others but I admit I was getting heated and annoyed at several posters over the last few weeks, not you Commodore as you often looked at facts more than some. I will try my best to refrain from calling others "idiots" or deliberately trying to inflame other posters.
As I stated in anoher thread, I am retiring from active political work -- no more walking the precinct, no more participation in tea party communications boards, no more endorsing candidates ... just no more. I am not worth a separate thread, but I want to wish the board farewell. I have thoroughly enjoyed the sometimes passionate, sometime humorous, sometimes definitive exchanges and verbal duels. IIRC, Alexis de Tocqueville once described John Randolph of Roanoke as a lone, screaming Indian shooting arrows and riding his horse wildly around a circled wagon train. I've always loved the Randolph character because he was both brilliant and crazy at the same time -- not a bad description for an epitaph. In some ways I've always loved emulating Randolph, i.e., playing devil's advocate, sometimes expressing more extreme views in order to move the herd's comfort zone. Funny, here I am an extreme conservative and on the tea party boards I was an extreme liberal. Very few people know my actual views. When I was a reporter, I wasn't allowed an opinion (boy, has the world of journalism changed or what?!) so I have always held my true values close to the vest. I confess to getting a little crazy when I encounter people who are so full of themselves, i.e., believe their views are so completely correct that anyone who disagrees is an idiot. As I said, I've enjoyed the exchanges -- all of them. There are a number of posters with whom I agreed and/or disagreed, sometimes vigorously, but always found interesting. These include (but not limited to) posters like Deckard, Basso, Franchiseblade, Bigtexxx, AndyMoon (GladiatorRowdy), Glynch, Rhadmanthus, Thadeus, B-Bob, DonnyMost, Det the Threat (Around the World), Major, Rocketsjudoka and, yes, Batman Jones and SamFisher. It seems that I have included just a few conservatives, but remember that most of the best exchanges were with the liberals who dominate this board. I will post occasionally in the GARM, although I confess that, because of the local television situation, I am seeing other teams more than the Rockets. At least I can watch Bud and Scola. Maybe someday I'll be able to see the Rocket rookies in action on a regular basis. In closing, I wish each of you well. Try to remember that, just because you passionately disagree with someone, he or she is not an idiot or crazy. All of us, conservatives, moderates and liberals alike, are Americans. Adios.
Sorry to see you leave thumbs and for what it's worth I've always thought you were a good guy. We might've had some big disagreements but you've always seemed genuinely friendly. I hope too that you are fully healthy. I remember you went through some pretty tough stuff there for awhile. If you aren't back to full health get some rest. Life will still go on without arguing politics.
Actually, my health is better than it has been in years. Thank you for your kind words. One point that I forgot to mention is that my breakfast invitation to glynch, gladiatorrowdy et al (in Houston) still stands. I can be reached at thumbs@email.com.
Sour grapes from the guy who had Romney with 354 electoral votes. Did someone call you an idiot for that?
It's just post election whining. Everyone saw how some of these guys behaved leading up to the election. Now they look terrible for all the nonsense they posted and this guy wants to run to mommy.
