I've been on this wonderful BBS for nearly six years now. In my time here, I've done my fair share of "unfair" debating where I've ridiculed those who've disagreed with me. Lately, I've noticed that this board has lost quite a few of its conservative members. While some of them haven't posted due to job restraints, I believe that many of them have left because of other reasons. At one point, I'd have considered this a victory of sorts, but not now. I'd like for those who regularly participate in this forum to take a pledge. Debate the issues constructively. Refrain from making personal insults or comments based on one's ideological leanings. Don't accuse someone of being a Nazi or a pinko Commie. If someone disagrees with you on an issue, state why you disagree with them. Don't state that and add a derogatory term to that. I've been swayed in one particuar issue because of that and due in large part because of some arguments on this board. I think debate is at its healthiest when you hear arguments from the other side. However, when the debates start with something that offends you to the core, i.e. stupid Nazis want to spy on you why you're on the computer, then the other side is going to do nothing other than ignore you and insult you back. It doesn't have to be a specific personal insult either. Keep in mind who may be supporting the person you're slamming when you make your argument. That's not to say I expect anyone's opinions to be altered by what they see here, but it would be refreshing to see political discourse exercised in a manner that's not befitting of eight year-olds arguing at recess. I have my own theory as to why this happened, which I won't share out of standing by my word I've offered in this thread, and the blame lies equally with both sides of the BBS political spectrum. There are a precious few posters on both sides which we could all learn a lesson from in how we frame our discussions in the future. MadMax and mrpaige come to mind on the conservative end while Major crosses my mind from the more liberal faction of the board. I think this is possible if the conservatives who don't post anymore are at least lurking. The current light rail thread, despite some nudges to the contrary, has shown that a civil discourse is possible. I know this may sound extremely hypocritical coming from me, quite possibly the most partisan person in the history of this BBS, but I really hate to see something that's honestly educated me on numerous issues die because of partisan bickering. Let's be better than the general public. Who's with me?
Congrats! Actually I'm with you. Any forays into personal insults I have are me taking out my anger at the administration and what it's doing on the wrong people.
No way man, I keep it real. You think this is a game? Wu Tang beyotch! I usually don't go into personal insults So this hardly applies to me, but boy, do I ever get the urge from time to time.
So you're saying we're either with you or against you, huh?? I knew you were a W lovin, union hating, fascist piglet scum sucking......er, yeah sure...i'm wit ya.
If you could reach out to me in friendship after some of the things I've said here (I am probably one of the worst offenders and I freely admit it. I'm quite passionate about my beliefs and sometimes that leads to such behavior), you are not partisan at all. I can think of a lot more posters who are far worse. Where has old TJ gone to these days?
RM95, I'd be with you, but for me personally it would mean that I would have to refrain from posting while inebriated, and that might be a little difficult. I may have to join a support group.
RM95, Just a quick question as I am fairly new to this section of the BBS (long time lurker -- lately started posting).... When you say conservatives, do you mean republicans? This is not meant to be an insult, but an honest question. I would argue that there are plenty of conservatives still on the board, but less die-hard republicans. Like you, I can think of a few reasons for this, but that is another thread, so I pose you the question...
I generally try not to personally insult people, though I did call someone a moron a while back (and apologized after). That being said, I am with you, you pinko commie hippie. I can also forgive bama for his xenophobic Nazi insults, too. j/k
Both. Honestly, as far as conservatives (or relatively so) go on this board that still post frequently, there aren't that many. Off the top of my head...bamaslammer, basso, bigtexxx (the Killer Bs ), and MadMax. Every once in a while we'll see others and there are a few that are definitely moderate and obviously don't ascribe to one political party or ideology. Then, we'll see posts by conservatives that always seem to be prefaced with a "I try to avoid this forum". I know why they do. Mango, I appreciate it. I'd like to think that in the last few years I've been less partisan, but I was making that statement based on my entire six years here.
This sprung from BK's thread about Kerry on Fox, yes? I can sign on. I believe I generally comport myself in the ways requested, and I even call out people I agree with if I think they're being over the top or rude or counterproductive. Hell, beyond that, I even agreed with bama in a thread yesterday. I've made similar pleas, but not so eloquently, and certainly to no avail. Lately, I'd decided to post less in here, and when I do post here, it's in fun. Like poking fun at an "enemy" (sic) such as bigtexxx. I assume he gets it, and we kid one another, but that may not be true. Anyway, if it would help the overall tone, I'll cut that out as well.
Yeah, that's what finally made me post this, even though I'd been thinking about doing so for a while now. Forgot StupidMoniker as one of the regular conservatives.
See, now help me out, people. I have an ambivalent response to this situation. A. I want to ask for special permission to defend myself and counter attack against this person who has brought so much of my personal life and history and hobies into the public BBS here. B. At the same time, I want to rise above his bitterness. I want to tell myself that it's okay that I didn't see past the warm, fuzzy costume when we first met those many years ago. (sigh). I just want to forgive, forget and move on. In the spirit of this nice thread, I will choose Option B, even for SamFisher! Isn't that a monumental sacrifice for the good of the BBS? I invite SamFisher to join me in burrying the hedgehog -- I mean hatchet. Hatchet!
