ScienceChic wrote: Reading written words sometimes makes it really difficult to ascertain whether the one posting is joking, believes wholeheartedly what they are posting, or are just bringing it up as something else to think about. Me personally, I'd rather assume the best than the worst, have some fun with it, and discuss the topic/subject matter at hand rather than each other. Can we try that please?
I don't think I've done anything wrong here SC. Zhawke is the first person to post in this thread who has point of view from the left. Until now the thread was boring because it's been about how the right thinks the left thinks about the right (confused yet?). I just thought it would be interesting to see if these memes really do line up with how the left sees the right. I didn't realize I was going too far with my relevant question, so maybe I better start a more serious thread on the topic. My appoligies.
The left is angry because they are now being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.
Rick wrote: All I did was ask you a reasonable and relevant question. The topic is about how Democrats see Republicans, and I just wanted to know if you believed what you posted. You either do or you don't and if there is anything there they you do agree with, I'm just interested to know why. Isn't that the point of these forums... to understand how the other side thinks?
Rick, then I may have misunderstood the intent of the OP since many of the first posts were pretty funny. At least I thought they were.
So, in answer to your question, the "intent", specifically the underlying message, of some of them (not all, but some) I do agree with. Some I do not. I'll say this again, too. In the end, it really doesn't matter from my perspective whether I agree with them or not. Or, for that matter, whether you agree with them or not. I'd rather just have some fun here.
ScienceChic wrote: Reading written words sometimes makes it really difficult to ascertain whether the one posting is joking, believes wholeheartedly what they are posting, or are just bringing it up as something else to think about. Me personally, I'd rather assume the best than the worst, have some fun with it, and discuss the topic/subject matter at hand rather than each other. Can we try that please?
I don't think I've done anything wrong here SC. Zhawke is the first person to post in this thread who has point of view from the left. Until now the thread was boring because it's been about how the right thinks the left thinks about the right (confused yet?). I just thought it would be interesting to see if these memes really do line up with how the left sees the right. I didn't realize I was going too far with my relevant question, so maybe I better start a more serious thread on the topic. My appoligies.
I don't think you've done anything wrong, either, Rick. It's interesting from my perspective how these forums on so many of the sites I participate in look and feel almost like an "echo chamber" for those of a more conservative bent. That's one of the reasons why I decided to re-enter the fray, so to speak. Given the reaction I've gotten from some here and in other forums, as well, I'm seriously considering pulling my own personal plug once again.
Perhaps we should consider starting another thread on the issue of why so many threads consist almost entirely of a more conservative bent?
ScienceChic wrote: Reading written words sometimes makes it really difficult to ascertain whether the one posting is joking, believes wholeheartedly what they are posting, or are just bringing it up as something else to think about. Me personally, I'd rather assume the best than the worst, have some fun with it, and discuss the topic/subject matter at hand rather than each other. Can we try that please?
Rick wrote: All I did was ask you a reasonable and relevant question. The topic is about how Democrats see Republicans, and I just wanted to know if you believed what you posted. You either do or you don't and if there is anything there they you do agree with, I'm just interested to know why. Isn't that the point of these forums... to understand how the other side thinks?
Rick, you certainly haven't done anything wrong - my apologies if I came across that way. I think I need to use more emoticons
to help convey my emotions (they really do help)!
I for one am very glad that ZHawke has piped back up. I agree with you that this thread, and the Courthouse itself I think, was getting a tad stale and I love having more points of view shared. The thing that concerns me is when we (and I say we because I am guilty of it from time to time as well) take things personally, or start assuming things of others based on what little we've read. We tend to jump a little too quickly to becoming combative, and even somewhat melodramatic. I think if we focus on the topic at hand, rather than "OMG do you really believe that?" and, in my dream world, get philosophical, this could be a lot of fun!
On a thread such as this, what I'd do if I had more time to play would be to break down a couple of the memes posted and do some fun analysis - Why did they say what they said? What didn't they say? What does that mean for the group it is intended to represent? What doesn't it mean? Do you agree or disagree? What's the flip side? Can you find a meme that counters it and answer with that so we have a conversation in memes broken up with analysis of them and what it means for our political climate - challenge yourself to take it the next step. Play. Have fun. Poke fun in a lighthearted way. After all, we're all in the same boat.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
ScienceChic wrote: Reading written words sometimes makes it really difficult to ascertain whether the one posting is joking, believes wholeheartedly what they are posting, or are just bringing it up as something else to think about. Me personally, I'd rather assume the best than the worst, have some fun with it, and discuss the topic/subject matter at hand rather than each other. Can we try that please?
I don't think I've done anything wrong here SC. Zhawke is the first person to post in this thread who has point of view from the left. Until now the thread was boring because it's been about how the right thinks the left thinks about the right (confused yet?). I just thought it would be interesting to see if these memes really do line up with how the left sees the right. I didn't realize I was going too far with my relevant question, so maybe I better start a more serious thread on the topic. My appoligies.
I don't think you've done anything wrong, either, Rick. It's interesting from my perspective how these forums on so many of the sites I participate in look and feel almost like an "echo chamber" for those of a more conservative bent. That's one of the reasons why I decided to re-enter the fray, so to speak. Given the reaction I've gotten from some here and in other forums, as well, I'm seriously considering pulling my own personal plug once again.
Perhaps we should consider starting another thread on the issue of why so many threads consist almost entirely of a more conservative bent?
The term "echo chamber" has been used far too much as of late, especially on this board imo. When you say this is a conservative echo chamber, you imply that conservatives can't think for themselves, have closed minds, and are somehow preventing opposing views. You may believe that but I doubt you could make a logical case. We of a "conservative bent" have endured some of the nastiest and most hateful comments from a couple people on the left, who are no longer here and we are. I welcome anybody to challenge anything I say and they will get the same type of tone as they dish out. You are obviously one of those on the left who is willing to debate, even when outnumbered, which I do respect. But if you think there is an overwhelming number of nasty conservative bomb throwers here presently, I don't see it. I'm just here because of my insatiable need to understand how and why liberals think the way they do. The fact that some left wing voices have decided to move on may have more to do with how the country is feeling about the guy that was supposed to make everything better yet failed to deliver.
The left is angry because they are now being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.
Rick wrote: The term "echo chamber" has been used far too much as of late, especially on this board imo. When you say this is a conservative echo chamber, you imply that conservatives can't think for themselves, have closed minds, and are somehow preventing opposing views. You may believe that but I doubt you could make a logical case. We of a "conservative bent" have endured some of the nastiest and most hateful comments from a couple people on the left, who are no longer here and we are. I welcome anybody to challenge anything I say and they will get the same type of tone as they dish out. You are obviously one of those on the left who is willing to debate, even when outnumbered, which I do respect. But if you think there is an overwhelming number of nasty conservative bomb throwers here presently, I don't see it. I'm just here because of my insatiable need to understand how and why liberals think the way they do. The fact that some left wing voices have decided to move on may have more to do with how the country is feeling about the guy that was supposed to make everything better yet failed to deliver.
The "implied" message wasn't at all to send the message you've interpreted it as being. The opposing views message, though, is arguable simply because I've seen, and also been subjected to, some pretty condescending and disingenuous responses. I, too, can dish it back as it is given. I try very hard not to go down that road, but sometimes the urge is pretty overwhelming. I never said I believe there are an overwhelming number of nasty conservative bomb throwers. What I meant by echo chamber is along the lines of what you mentioned about this forum becoming somewhat boring because the only ones posting here are of a more conservative bent. That's all. Those couple of people you mention aren't here, so can we dispense with that part of it once and for all? And, finally, the guy that was supposed to make everything better cannot do that without cooperation and collaboration from many. The Presidential powers are limited as are those of Congress and the Supreme Court. I believe some in the U.S. place an inordinately high and, arguably misplaced, level of power in the hands of the President. He (currently)/she (as yet to be determined) is not a monarch, is not a dictator (although some would argue that point for the sitting president). I also believe some would have the powers delegated to each branch of government be significantly curtailed from what they are now. That's open for discussion. I don't hold any illusions regarding whether or not any at the Federal level of government might be willing to curtail their own power whether that power is justified or not. However, calling for impeachment is also something I believe many in our population do not fully understand. Nor do I believe the sitting President has done anything to warrant Articles of Impeachment being introduced. That road is a long one and, from what I've been seeing, virtually unwinnable.
Poke fun in a lighthearted way. After all, we're all in the same boat. 
Yep, that's a good one. S 
