Divisive politics and mutual respect
Well, I just posted, yet again, on one of the six extant threads about this mess in the Middle East. I haven't seen so much debate and excitement here since the great Extras War of a year ago or so. This might even be more controversial a topic.
But all this excitement is, I fear, a bit dangerous to our friendship. Some of the people I have been encountering in this most lively debate are those I have the very highest respect for here on SW, and I would prefer to have it remain mutual.
Only the passage of time will tell what the best course of action is over there, and like many historical issues, even that might yet remain a matter for debate. Many of us have very strong feelings about what we should and shouldn't be doing over there, but I would prefer that our open expression of these ideas should not be at the expense of the friendly rapport and mutual respect I have grown so fond of, here on SW.
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Replies are often venemous. Sometimes its best to just let it drop.
FBR
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Re:Divisive politics and mutual respect
Amen DJ. I hope people take this sentiment to heart as we get closer to the election.
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Ive waded through a number of posts about the current crisis/issues that are in our world today. Since I dont get to participate in Stripperweb as much as I used to, I often get to them when the thread is three pages long. By that time, a lot of it has gravitated into arguments and fighting.
I sometimes feel that I can add something, especially in regards to a possible historical perspective (24 years of history reading and education might be good for something). Yet up to this point I have refrained, because I refuse to get involved in arguments. I will participate in debate and discussion - even heated debate. I have no problem with having a different opinion then someone else, and I certainly can stand someone having a different opinion then I do. However, a debate/discussion should end with myself and others disagreeing, but being civil. That always gives both of us food for thought to ruminate long after the discussion is over. Thats positive. Arguments do the exact opposite. It leaves one full of animosity and bitterness, and any possible new ideas about the subject is squelched under that. That obviously serves no good purpose.
Arguments - especially Internet arguments - are purposeless. I stay out of them for just that reason. I love the fact that the denizens of Stripperweb give a shit about whats going on in the world. I know of so many people who just put their heads in the sand, and carry on blithly as if the world is peaches and cream. I just wish the desire to discuss the issues promulgated only discussion, rather then animosity.
I have seen too many academic discussions turn into a verbal fistfight.
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I actually think that we're doing pretty good with our political debates. I'm proud to say that the most intellectually stimulating and yet civilly conducted debates I've been involved in have been on StripperWeb. There is a bit of "well that's just stupid"-ness going on, but for the most part, those that are still hanging in there (on page 6...9...15... whatever) are the ones who are backing up their opinions with facts and/or new perspectives....
Yay for smart strippers and junkies!!
Kali
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Quote:
Yay for smart strippers and junkies!!
Kali
lol that cracked me up...
I debate people all the time on msg boards. It takes a while, but even people you disagree with will respect you. I think this board is not as politically debative as some boards and so people are used to responses being aimed at 'them' and not discussing a nissue. Also, if you have an issue with someone directly pm em. Some people get really mad at being 'called out' in public.
My :twocents:
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Now that we have sucessfully debated politics lets all debate religion.
There don't seemt o be many muslims on this website. (Wonder why?) If we christians don't shoot each other over religion, those of us left can get shot by the muslims.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Niceguy link=board=1;threadid=9279;start=msg110914#msg1109 14 date=1084911075
Now that we have sucessfully debated politics lets all debate religion.
There don't seemt o be many muslims on this website. (Wonder why?) If we christians don't shoot each other over religion, those of us left can get shot by the muslims.
well I am an atheist, so I'll shoot every last one of ya!
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Hmmm, religon...
Let's not, haha.
Though actually some of the recent debate has concerned religon, what with militant Moslems in the picture, and my own bitching about separation of Church and State, etc., etc. But let's keep it out of this thread, please.
I used to have a really good friend from Macon, Georgia, who was extremely conservative and also extremely racist--not to imply this is always the case! Every time we got together and went out, we would always wind up getting into gigantic arguments, wherever we went. Since I have a voice which tends to attract attention (not always of a positive nature) and he was very vehement in trying to show me the error of my ways, this could get awkward.
One time we were in a friend's car at a gas station and the girl driving the car had to calm the attendant down, he was ready to call the cops for fear we were going to fight. But our friendship was never in question. I was just concerned that we all kept things respectful, in the same fashion.
If we were all in the same room, there might be some yelling and arm-waving if we got going about politics or this damned war, but I would still love to meet and hang with some of the people who might be doing most of the yelling. I actually like the idea of respectful, if lively, disagreement and debate.
Nothing could be more boring than being surrounded by people who always agreed about everything.
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Frankly, I find that I cannot participate, let alone read, most of the politically oriented threads here. They all seem to start off with some hookie about GWB "stealing" the election. That's my cue to find a different thread. I don't see how debates can be waged when some parties start off in a position that is political sour grapes
However, if i can manage to get past the blind spot here for GWB, the debates are usually quite fact-centric. It's a pleasant change of pace from other debate boards I've been on.
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Well, this is a stripper oriented forum, so why turn it into Crossfire? In the end we'll all be stripping or getting lap dances and SW unites us all regardless of political beliefs ;)