pilgrim1951 Loc: New Jersey

I have started reading these political threads because they almost always devolve into "pissing matches" from both ends of the political spectrum. It's too bad because I am always willing to change an opinion, even if I won't change a conviction. I don't know everything, so my opinions could be flawed, but my convictions are so strong and deep that I would die for them. That's why I always try to listen to arguments from others to test my opinions. A wise man once told me, "Never get into a pissing war with a skunk." Let's try to continue open and respectful conversations folks.

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

:thumbup: You are very wise.
"I don't know everything"
Some people on here think they do and are happy to tell us how wrong we are even when we post facts.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I once knew everything. My problem is that I can't remember what I have forgotten.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Good Luck with that.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Excellent advice. I enter these discussions fairly often and have come across some who have called me names but I have yet to enter that part of a discussion. I try to let the facts speak for themselves and present my view of the debate. Possibly if I was in a face to face debate with the same person I might resort to some type of name calling if frustrated. But this is the Internet. There is no need for frustration. Indeed, I have all the time in the world to formulate a response and then type it into the space. Why resort to name calling? Will it help in the slightest to help the other party see your point of view? I doubt it. When either one resorts to name calling the debate is no longer about the subject but about personalities. You have gained nothing and lost whatever points you had already made. It is a lose/lose situation.

Great post.

Dennis

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Your problem is that you paint with much to broad a brush. Not all liberals are atheists and not all conservatives are believers. The overwhelming number of atheists, by the way, are perfectly at ease with others expressing any faith of their choosing, and with public displays of those faiths. In fact it's none of your business wheather or not any one shares your viewpoint. Simply because some one does not agree with you does not automatically mean that they are wrong.

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

I have the same problem. Obama care will help. :thumbup:

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

...and your problem is not being able to recognize sarcasm.

EngineerAl

Notice that NOT ONE liberal has entered into the discussion to admit their hateful remarks and pledge to mend their ways.
NOT ONE.

This is because they have no intention of being civil.
Their talking points do not permit it.

What do you call a lie, by some nicer term?
If not, you're "hateful" and "mean-spirited."

What do you call a malicious troll, who never adds to a discussion, ever?
If you call a malicious troll "a malicious troll," you're simply being hateful and mean-spirited. Be nice, always. And the liberals will be malicious, always. Either way, it's a stalemate.

Many people on this board have stated that they served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Bravo. Every man who served, except for a few conscientious objectors, learned how to kill, from at least 350 yards away. Now if you could kill an enemy, and if Jesus could flay the moneychangers with a whip, maybe you could just POSSIBLY see how some of us you might look down your nose at can give back some of what we receive so relentlessly, so dishonestly, so ignorantly from the godless left, as opposed to "right-wing religious extremists," or "nutjobs" as we are so often smeared.

Speaking the truth cannot be "hate," any more than the statistics on homosexual violence, murder, rapes, suicides, alcoholism, etc. can be "homophobic." They are simply facts, which are impartial and unemotional.

Zophman Loc: Northwest

I read Chit Chat more for entertainment than as a source of valid information.....other than to validate my theory that in a forum of anonymity folks with self esteem issues will tend to be assholes. All of us are very capable of being an asshole at any given time based in our demeanor, sobriety, or mood at the time. However, there are a few frequent participants that are just plain assholes all the time! I suspect it's their opportunity to be an asshole with limited reprisals, you know, like a good ass whipping! It really is a slice of life!

EngineerAl

What information is not valid? Wouldn't that be a lie, and not information?

Words mean things. Let's use them correctly, not in the manner of liberals, who call black white, and unborn babies "choices".

Before you were conceived in the womb I knew you. - Where was that first written?

Marc-Wi Loc: Oshkosh Wi

Yes, interesting. Not a liberal peep.

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

Black Bart Loc: Indiana

This is true only if you agree with them.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

As a friend once told me: 'If you can't be a good example for the world then you will have to serve as a horrible warning' !!