tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

Having recently signed up for Amazon Prime, I have been viewing the first five seasons of The West Wing. It ran on TV from 1999 until 2005, both before and after 9/11. Last night I had a huge revelation after watching an episode.

Here are some of the topics the show has dealt with:

abortion
gay rights
the debt/deficit
religious freedom
the Supreme Court
executive/legislative bargaining
disaster relief
creating jobs
Islamic fundamentalism
terrorism
the debt ceiling


I could go on, but not until last night did it hit me - these are exactly the same issues we are dealing with today. The language framing the arguments is exactly the same now as it was in 2000. Nothing has changed, except maybe a movement to accept gay marriage today. My point is this: we here on this forum waste a whole lot of time screaming about things that will be debated forever. We insult and debase each other, and not a single viewpoint has ever been changed. Maybe what we should be doing instead is taking that time and energy to let our elected representatives know how we feel, instead of each other. It may only be a slight chance, but there is a chance we actually could make a difference that way.

So here's a radical suggestion. Let's volunteer to just stop posting political stuff. And discussions about religion. No one is going to change his or her mind, so why piss each other off? We can deal with each other pretty rationally when it comes to photography topics, but once we're into politics or religion, we all seem to bring out the worst in each other. It will make the General Chit Chat section a whole lot more boring, but at least we can be civil to each other. Besides, you can never get too many cat videos to watch, right?

So from now on, I promise to not create any posts slamming conservatives, Republicans or anyone on this forum with whom I disagree. I will also not be responding to any more posts from those on the right that slam liberals, Democrats, or their ideas. Can anyone join me?

orindaman

Seems not

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

I posted this 5 minutes ago. Give people a chance to read it. Sheesh!!!!

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

An even more radical idea would be to carry on the discussion of religion and politics without the insults.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Sounds like a game plan to me ts.
The bitching gets old and boring.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Minds might never be changed concerning political ideas ... no big deal.

However, when it comes to eternal truths, we never know how just one word of truth will grown in a person's soul and change their eternal destiny.

Psalm 107:2-8

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

I really don't believe it. I suggest stopping all the political and religious crap, and you post something from the bible. Do you really think that by posting that quote you changed anyone? Go on believing what you believe, but stop thinking that by posting a quote form the bible you will be changing anyone's beliefs.

Ambrose Loc: North America

It's funny - just this morning I heard a guy on the radio who had banned all news from his life for a year. When he re-engaged, he was astonished to hear and see that nothing had changed. Nothing.

Stopping political conversation here on UHH would be like trying to build a damn with Lincoln Logs at Niagra. It's a noble idea, but the sad reality is, not everyone who comes to this forum are noble people.

I'd say the best move is to lead by example. Engage in only a constructive, positive manner. Hold people accountable for their claims. Have them explain themselves. When they lambast a politician, ask them what the solution is - and ask for a real solution. Then, God forbid, discuss how we can take action with their solution to solve the problem rather than just talk about it.
Could you imagine? People actually working together to fix our common good?

Of course there will always be those who will troll and respond in immature, sophomoric ways looking for a reaction. They are simply to be ignored. And when they are not, remind the reactors to ignore them.

I think the main issue in political discussion anywhere today is that people are only pointing fingers and blaming. Nobody is coming up with solutions or new ideas.

I've mentioned it here before: If people only talked about what was right with their party rather than what was wrong with the other guy, it would get quiet around here quickly.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

You just want to take the fun out of arguing about Politics and Religion. Boring!!

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

My posts don't change anyone. God's word does:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
~~Romans 10:17

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

A noble effort indeed, tschmath! I have printed your closing statement and posted it above my monitor. You have my admiration!
:thumbup: :thumbup:

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

Didn't JR1 make such a promise? Less than 48 hours he was attacking everyone who disagreed with him.

norvik1943 Loc: Jenks, OK and Domazan, France

Maybe the White House is today following the script from the TV series, West Wing. Humm! It was handled much better though by the cast on the TV show.

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

Why do you think you should be able to post your opinions and others should not be able to post theirs?

It is Bible not bible.

norvik1943 Loc: Jenks, OK and Domazan, France

Why is a bible then? Dont' forget when reading it, Genesis was written several hundred years after Exodus by a different Jewish sect. Humm! I took a college lit course way back, one book was: The Bible as Literature. The text offered many explanations rationally.