Question about the Political Threads

[FliegendeWolf 0]

It seems to me that the political threads get very hot, very angry, and very intense. I don't seem to recall such a vibe on these threads a year to a year and a half ago. Did this grow over time or was I just not looking at the right threads last year? Did the Talk Back political crisis begin with the war in iraq or was it always here?

A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All

[Gravitymaster 0]

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It seems to me that the political threads get very hot, very angry, and very intense. I don't seem to recall such a vibe on these threads a year to a year and a half ago. Did this grow over time or was

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I just not looking at the right threads last year? Did the Talk Back political crisis begin with the war in iraq or was it always here?

I think some people discuss thing to learn and some discuss them to to feed their ego by winning an arguement. It is the later group that usually gets emotional.

[rehmwa 2]

They've almost been funny lately with the sensitivity and vitriol.

But it's usually the same people every time. (No, I'm not naming names, but we know who they are.)

I wasn't here a year and half ago, so I'm just assuming that with a higher number of people, you eventually end up with more hotheads for both sides of all the arguments.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[PhillyKev 0]

You're full of crap. It's always been that way. Your liberal pansy ass leanings just wouldn't let you see it before. How dumb can you be?

psssst....the above is sarcasm.

[jfields 0]

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You're full of crap. It's always been that way. Your liberal pansy ass leanings just wouldn't let you see it before. How dumb can you be?

psssst....the above is sarcasm.

LOL

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[AggieDave 6]

Dude, its been like that with political threads on this forum since I can remember. Actually, I think before BillVon became a user, people generally agreed, but he's lead a ultra-liberal group in combating generally excepted goodness since then. That's when it went down the crapper.



(for those without a dry sense of humor, that was a joke)

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[rehmwa 2]

Actually, you could name names, but it would have to be even handed. So if you're not willing to supply all 4 responses, then you are likely one of the wacked out.

Opinions

most wacked out leftie
most wacked out rightie
most reasonable leftie
most reasonable rightie

I'll jump in, but not first. Nope, that's too dangerous, wouldn't want to chance it.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[FliegendeWolf 0]

I was hoping that this thread wouldn't turn out quite so polemical...

A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All

[AggieDave 6]

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Actually, you could name names, but it would have to be even handed. So if you're not willing to supply all 4 responses, then you are likely one of the wacked out.

I guess you didn't read the last line of my post, huh?

Actually, BillVon and I have partied and jumped together, I really respect him. I was just poking a little fun at him.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[rehmwa 2]

Fwolf - Looking up polemical - geez, I'm just a farmboy from Iowa.

Dave - Yup, we're all one big family to me, but it would still be fun to see who people think are the crazy uncles though. Really, anonymity provided by a web site really can make some people seem extreme. However, some people ARE extreme.


po·lem·ic ( P ) Pronunciation Key (p-lmk)
n.
A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.
A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation.



This is a good topic just based on a couple of threads in the last week.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[sunshine 2]

Not even reading the posts in this thread. Just wanted to take the time to say, you are still #1 in my notebook of asses i'm gonna kick.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[FliegendeWolf 0]

Why do you think I'm an Eloy no-show!

A One that Isn't Cold is Scarcely a One at All

[Slappie 9]

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Not even reading the posts in this thread. Just wanted to take the time to say, you are still #1 in my notebook of asses i'm gonna kick.

Dammit I thought I was ranked up there close to #1

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[quade 4]

I think the intensity and anger depends on the individual reading the thread.

As more individuals read and become involved with the threads, the chances increase that somebody is going to take something personally and try to defend his position a little more strongly. In doing so, it starts a chain reaction.

I get involved in the political threads because usually it's a subject that interests me and I'm also interested in the opinions of others. I think there are folks that can discuss the ideas without going over the top. Unfortunately, some folks can't seem to separate the issues being discussed from their personal lives. In some cases, this is understandable -- in other cases I think it's just silly (but then again, that's just me).

People -are- swayed in their opinions and viewpoints based on a lifetime of experience, emotions and beliefs. That's not to say that those things are invalid, but simply factors in why they hold certain viewpoints.

Because of my experience, emotions and beliefs I tend to be highly skeptical of anything that looks even vaguely manipulative by a multi-national corporation or any government.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[billvon 3,107]

> Actually, I think before BillVon became a user, people generally
> agreed, but he's lead a ultra-liberal group in combating generally
> excepted goodness since then.

And since then? Riots in the streets! Cats and dogs! Living together! Mass hysteria!

[AggieDave 6]

Ahhhh, very nice Bill Murry quote.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[billvon 3,107]

>I'll jump in, but not first. Nope, that's too dangerous, wouldn't want to chance it.

Just remember - the early bird may get the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese.

[happythoughts 0]

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the early bird may get the worm

Like that's a goal. Ever had worms? It takes weeks to get rid of them.

My favorite thing is the "all of you do this..." post.
It happens in the men vs women, left vs. right, up vs. down threads. Anything with two sides and someone always makes an ignorant "Everyone on your side picks their nose and..." post.

If you say "All blacks do...", you are a racist.
If you say "All women do...", you are a sexist.
If you say "All left-wingers do...", you are a bonehead.

[AggieDave 6]

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If you say "All left-wingers do...", you are a bonehead.

If you say "All Right-wingers do...", you're a red-commie-liberal.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[happythoughts 0]

Where has blondeflyer7 been lately? It takes the fun out of blonde jokes unless she's around to get exasperated.

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[lawrocket 3]

I find myself to love political threads. I even find my opinions swayed, if not outright changed, by the opinions of people expressed herein.

Quade, kallend and billvon almost always offer objective analyses that are fairly free of vitriol. Their logic is usually very good, even in reaching the wrong conclusion. I do not get swayed by heated arguments, unless they are made on the side that I agree with. Sometimes, these heated arguments alone have the power of making me reassess whether my believes are based on feelings rather than thought.

A point for many - there is a difference between "feeling" and "thinking." If I hear someone say, "I feel Saddam should be executed" I tend to believe that is all well and good. Now, tell me what you think. It's much like the rules on the incidents forum. You may feel bad for the guy that hooked in, but objectivity and feelings aside lead to a far greater understanding of the issues.

The same should be true in politics. Cheers to all.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[n2skdvn 0]

I just wait till they get heated then drop this in

if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN
my site

[mikkey 0]

Well, I had a few good discussions here with people I disagree with but still had a good exchange of opinion and facts. When it stays a civil argument I enjoy the discussion.
Unfortunately it happens very often that people do not want a discussion, they want to “slam” people. So they post either “one liners” or off topic rants that include attacks on the poster (his/hers motives, believes etc.). Some of these people also revert to using racial and other stereo types or suggest the extermination of countries etc. This is often when it gets very heated and the threads deteriorate quickly. I have been sucked in a couple of times, but now I choose to leave the discussion when it comes to this point or do not even enter it.

---------------------------------------------------------
When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[PhillyKev 0]

Typical response from the descendent of criminals

[happythoughts 0]

Do people in Pennsylvania still have to wear the hats with the belt buckles on them?