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Subject: Outside looking in


Author:
Baxter
[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
Date Posted: 17:44:13 02/16/05 Wed

I have been eavesdropping on your forum off and on for some time now. I find it very interesting how your circle understands the world. Or better yet, does not understand the world. Forgive my being forward but it would seem to me that those of you who are of a more liberal bent, (environmentally, politically and socially) are quite naive to the way the world works. You simply think that anyone in pursuit of profit is evil. Therefore anyone who helps business in the pursuit of profit, too, is evil. (add Darth Vader theme music) This would lead us to President Bush, a man who understands that most good things that occur in the world are not motivated by good intentions alone but by the profit motive. More good has been done by a few profit seeking corporations (Johnson & Johnson, GE, Tyson foods) than all of the good intentions of liberals combined.

It seems that the liberal has the belief that every injustice in the world must be stamped out. This leads us down a path of harming whole so as not to offend the few. Leberals do not with to fix injustice by taking personal responsibility or getting involved in the daily doing of right. No, that would take to much effort. We need the government, an orginazation that has yet to run one program efficiently or with fiscal responsibility, an orginazation that has yet to complete an objective to the benefit of its citizens (with the exception of winning wars). The government then gives the liberal the illusion that they have done something good to make the world a better place. How do they do this? By extracting wealth from those who work for it to give it to those who do not as though the problem of the poor is simply not having enough money. That is rediculous. The problems of the poor are based in the consequenses of laziness and uneducated decisions (speaking within the boarders of America). In many other countries the problem of poverty is very real. In most of those countries there is not freedom to acheive and be what you want. These are countries in which liberal, socialistic principles work at there best, removing the profit motive therefore relegating its people to poverty.

Ok, so my point is, you seem to not understand that W. if bringing good to both IRAQ and the US by bringing freedom to people. Where freedom is, good abounds. Where liberals reign, the people perish.

All my love - Baxter

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Replies:
[> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 07:55:49 02/18/05 Fri

Howdy Baxter,

I'm afraid you're not going to get much traction trying to change the minds of my left leaning kin. They're enamored of their opinions but can't often support them with facts, logic or reason. That being the case they aren't inclined to listen to or respond to opinions that contradict their own.

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[> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Baxter
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Date Posted: 09:08:34 02/18/05 Fri

Hey Michael,

I can understand this. I've read some discussions that seemed as though they enjoyed a good bru ha ha. The only time I really take these things serious is on election day. I feel that Bush has been very much misjudged by many not based on fact but complete fiction. Many peoples eyes are being opened each day to the merits of the values that made our nation great to begin with.

It seems that the more enlightened we become through liberal values, the less we want to let our children play in the park. We have protected the "rights" of a few messed up people to the point of throwing our society away. You see a man like Bush, who says what he believes (common sense which has become so uncommon) and does it to the delight of most Americans and you have to scratch you head at how some cannot see the value of returning to values. Hope you don't mind me sticking my nose in.

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 15:43:54 02/18/05 Fri

I don't object to anyone joining the discussion but I can't speak for anyone else.

I think the problem the ABB (Anybody But Bush) crowd has is that they've believed the fictions propagated by the democrat leadership and the MSM. If I thought the President had actually invaded Iraq to steal their oil and enrich Halliburton I wouldn't approve either.

Personally I disagree with about half of what Bush has done as President but I admire him for his being honest and forthright, and on issues that were particularly important to me (2nd Amendment, tax cuts, Iraq, Social Security reform) I do agree with his general direction at least.

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[> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Beth
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Date Posted: 14:45:05 02/20/05 Sun

Yay! We needed more conservatives to help fight off the wave of liberal craziness that has engulfed the family.

Welcome, Baxter =)

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[> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Edie
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Date Posted: 19:19:39 02/20/05 Sun

Caution! You are in danger of changing the balance of power in the forum! Michael is vociferous enough on his own that the liberal contingent can only keep him at bay through total unity. Kind of like a game of "Red Rover" with all the skinny kids shoring up defenses against the one future linebacker thundering across the field toward them. Speaking as the official tree-hugging conservative (yes, we do exist), the only posts I find unwelcome are the ones written in a tone that displays total lack of respect for the other side's opinions. Remember, there are a lot of brilliant people in this world and they don't all agree with you, or me, or each other.
The forum will be a more entertaining place if the opposing voices aren't afraid to come out of the dark and speak their minds. They have interesting and perplexing viewpoints, and they should be drawn out and studied, not drawn out, pounced upon and eaten.

-e
"Hey, turns out it WAS rocket science!"

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Katy
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 21:34:05 02/20/05 Sun

Hi Baxter. Glad to have another voice on the forum. Always glad to have you post too Edie, you aren't on near enough. I unfortunately do not have enough time at the moment to say what I would like so I just wanted to say I'll be back in a few days ( my computer and I are living apart at the moment) and have a lot more to say. Until then I'll just say Mike and Baxter, and Beth you misunderstand the liberal viewpoint. I absolutely believe freedom for all people is most desirable. How our country and it's leaders conduct themselves is very important as well. We sometimes act as though we can do whatever we want because we are "right", and because we are a very powerful country. We are definitely not always right and in order to have a better world for all we have to work together with other world leaders and organizations, which means not always getting our way. Also poverty has different faces within our country and abroad. Some of the issues are the same, some different. Yes there are some lazy people here, but I have an interset in this issue and also have worked a little bit in Tulsa with some poor people and it is a much more complex issue that you seem to think. In our country teaching people that they have choices, that they can learn, and be responsible, how to be good parents, to take pride in themselves, etc. will make a big difference in what you see as laziness. When people grow up in a certain culture even one of sloth and dirt, they do not necessarily understand how to be different. Social service and non-profit programs help in those areas. A lot of our poor are also mentally ill or have disabilities such as retardation but may look as if they are lazy or don't care to take care of themselves. I'm sure I haven't addressed all that you have mentioned but I'm out of time for the moment. More later.

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[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 00:26:11 02/21/05 Mon

In fact I differentiate between the "liberal" point of view that is espoused by the liberal leadership and the point of view held by the rank and file liberal.

I know from my own experience that most liberals are caring and compassionate people who want whats best for the poor and disadvantaged. Unfortunately I think those people have been co-opted by the leadership that is far less worried about what's best for people and is far more concerned about acquiring and retaining power. The reason there is such a vocal crowd in the OBOE camp is not because of the President's record which has been far too accommodating to big government for conservatives (libertarian and republican). The OBOE crowd is there because the "liberal" leadership spin machine has demonized the Pres. at every turn, making him sound like Satan's Sock Puppet and the rank and file liberals have bought the spin.

I've heard a lot of conservatives and libertarians complaining about Bush's liberal inclinations. He boosted the budget for the Education department (liberal behavior), he imposed tariffs on steel (liberal), he spent billions on aids relief in Africa (liberal) and he's hired more minorities and women for more positions of true power than any President in history (not liberal but perceived to be so). While some may disagree with the war in Iraq, it is undeniable that the result so far has been the liberation of 25 million Iraqis from the oppression of a truly evil dictator and substantial movement of that country towards a much freer and more representative form of government (there is still a long way to go obviously but the movement is definitely in the right direction.).

I could rant on but I think I've made the point sufficiently that Bush isn't deserving of the demonization that he has received by the left (by the right, maybe), which brings me back to the original point. The leadership of the left is not so much liberal as they are power hungry so equating liberals in general with the liberal leadership is unfair and inaccurate. The liberal rank and file may be wrong or misguided but they have the best interest of the people at heart. The liberal leadership on the other hand, needs to be replaced.

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 23:58:52 02/20/05 Sun

Geez, you make me sound like such a bully.

Am I really such a bully?

Am I... Am I!?

Say Uncle, Say Uncle!

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[> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom Z
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Date Posted: 12:44:04 02/22/05 Tue

I have been eavesdropping on your forum off and on for some time now. I find it very interesting how your circle understands the world. Or better yet, does not understand the world. Forgive my being forward but it would seem to me that those of you who are of a more liberal bent, (environmentally, politically and socially) are quite naive to the way the world works. You simply think that anyone in pursuit of profit is evil. Therefore anyone who helps business in the pursuit of profit, too, is evil. (add Darth Vader theme music)

Welcome Baxter! As you can tell, those of us posting are all family, but this forum is not limited to us. Other viewpoints are welcomed. There are seven of my children and I and we cover the spectrum from liberal to conservative politics and from liberal to ultra-conservative religion. So joust with us and enjoy!

I was a conservative in my politics for many years. I'm 70 and I've lived through many "crises" in this country. I'd hardly say I'm naive, though I have been, I admit. I don't think anyone making a profit is evil. But I do think that corporations have no heart - therefore, only making money matters to the corporations and those who run them. The middle income population and the lower income classes are being squeezed - companies wanting more hours for less pay and fewer benefits for more cost to the workers.

This would lead us to President Bush, a man who understands that most good things that occur in the world are not motivated by good intentions alone but by the profit motive. More good has been done by a few profit seeking corporations (Johnson & Johnson, GE, Tyson foods) than all of the good intentions of liberals combined.

I'd have to say you are being naive if you think President Bush cares about anybody but his big business buddies and oil. Maybe some corporations have done some good things. Good for them! They got where they are through the workers, not because they are caring entities.

Not to be too religious, but we are (or should be) our brother's keeper. Injustice does need to be dealt with - wasn't that the supposed reason for going to war in Iraq? I agree that the government is a terrible business operator. And I agree that there are too many laws on the books. But there also has to be some sense of taking care of people who can't take care of themselves, for whatever reason.

It seems that the liberal has the belief that every injustice in the world must be stamped out. This leads us down a path of harming whole so as not to offend the few. Leberals do not with to fix injustice by taking personal responsibility or getting involved in the daily doing of right.

On the contrary, most of the liberals I know do take responsibility for their ideas and beliefs. They work with the elderly, the handicapped, the mentally disabled, the poor and, yes, the down-trodden. Back when Reagan was president, I was all for the government cutting aid programs and believing that private enterprise (i.e., corporations) would take up the slack. Didn't happen. Big business and big corporations did not take up the slack and we have mentally challenged people turned out on the street, trying to survive in a world they don't understand. We have the poor getting poorer, and I'm here to tell you that if it wasn't for my kids, I'd be on the welfare rolls right now. Not everyone has kids to provide for them as mine have for me.

No, that would take to much effort. We need the government, an orginazation that has yet to run one program efficiently or with fiscal responsibility, an orginazation that has yet to complete an objective to the benefit of its citizens (with the exception of winning wars). The government then gives the liberal the illusion that they have done something good to make the world a better place. How do they do this? By extracting wealth from those who work for it to give it to those who do not as though the problem of the poor is simply not having enough money. That is rediculous. The problems of the poor are based in the consequenses of laziness and uneducated decisions (speaking within the boarders of America). In many other countries the problem of poverty is very real. In most of those countries there is not freedom to acheive and be what you want. These are countries in which liberal, socialistic principles work at there best, removing the profit motive therefore relegating its people to poverty.

Unless you have worked in the fields of social work, you cannot know the problems those who are poor face. To say that they are poor because they are lazy is a gross over-generalization. It is true that the poverty in this country is not as dire as it is in other countries, but does that mean that it isn't of any consequence? You sound to me as if you have been raised in an upper-middle class environment and have never gotten "down and dirty" with the homeless, etc. Lucky you.

Ok, so my point is, you seem to not understand that W. if bringing good to both IRAQ and the US by bringing freedom to people. Where freedom is, good abounds. Where liberals reign, the people perish.

I agree that where freedom is good abounds. But to say that where liberals reign, people perish. Again, a gross over-generalization. I am confused, however. You seem to be saying that government should not be in the business of taking care of people but George W.'s government is so good because we went to war to help people in Iraq? And what else has G. W. done to help the people of this country. Don't tell me the tax breaks or refunds because we are spending a billion dollars a day on this war in Iraq and somewhere, someday, that cost is coming out of our - your's and my - pockets. Also don't get on the Social Security kick, because it's a big mountain out of a molehill. And I think G.W. is making such a fuss over SS to deflect attention from the war and the criticism during the election that he wasn't taking an interest in the economy. History will someday prove that G.W. is as big a con man as Nixon was; at least Nixon didn't leave us with half the world hating us as they do now.

Sorry if I seem to be getting on your case. As Mike said, we of the "left-leaning" persuasion don't change our minds easily. But then neither does he, so he can't complain too much. Glad you decided to post; keep it up. Other opinions are always welcome - and maybe we can change your mind. (just kidding)

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[> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom Z
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Date Posted: 15:34:41 02/22/05 Tue

In regard to the previous post - I was trying to separate Baxter's comments and my comments regarding his by putting mine in italics, but this attempt failed. It's Beth's fault! No, really, I was trying to follow her instructions but since I don't know html much at all, it didn't work. Hope you all can figure it out. Also, I posted another one which didn't seem to make it here, and now it's in the air somewhere. Must not have been that important. Sorry for any confusion about the previous post.

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Beth
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Date Posted: 18:53:59 02/22/05 Tue

Mom, html is code that starts and stops. So when you start a section with italics, you have to tell it to stop too. So you start it with the "i" in brackets, and then when you want the italics to end, you stop it with < then / then i then >.

But it's ok, I knew what you were trying to do. Everyone else will too because they're smart cookies. =)

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[> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 00:55:10 02/25/05 Fri

But I do think that corporations have no heart - therefore, only making money matters to the corporations and those who run them. The middle income population and the lower income classes are being squeezed - companies wanting more hours for less pay and fewer benefits for more cost to the workers.

Corporations and governments and charitable organizations are all made up of individuals, Blaming a corporation for anything means giving a pass to the individual(s) responsible.

A job involves a contract between employer and employee. That isn't a good guy, bad guy scenario. If the employee wants benefits like a particular pay rate, health insurance, etc., its his responsibility to make sure the contract includes that. The employer wants people who can do the job. If a person is qualified the company will negotiate to get them.


I'd have to say you are being naive if you think President Bush cares about anybody but his big business buddies and oil. Maybe some corporations have done some good things. Good for them! They got where they are through the workers, not because they are caring entities.

What has GW done to make you think he isn't the caring, Christian man he presents himself as? We're talkin' motives here so isn't it possible that his motives are good even if you disagree with the action? For example, tax cuts: For his rich friends or because they're a spur to the economy that increases growth and opportunity for everybody?

Not to be too religious, but we are (or should be) our brother's keeper. Injustice does need to be dealt with - wasn't that the supposed reason for going to war in Iraq? I agree that the government is a terrible business operator. And I agree that there are too many laws on the books. But there also has to be some sense of taking care of people who can't take care of themselves, for whatever reason.

Am I being my brother's keeper if someone takes my money against my will and gives it to my brother? Theft is theft whether its done by a mugger or the government and it makes not a whit of difference whether the money goes to a good cause or not. Being my brother's keeper means charity and gettin' mugged aint charity

On the contrary, most of the liberals I know do take responsibility for their ideas and beliefs. They work with the elderly, the handicapped, the mentally disabled, the poor and, yes, the down-trodden. Back when Reagan was president, I was all for the government cutting aid programs and believing that private enterprise (i.e., corporations) would take up the slack. Didn't happen. Big business and big corporations did not take up the slack and we have mentally challenged people turned out on the street, trying to survive in a world they don't understand. We have the poor getting poorer, and I'm here to tell you that if it wasn't for my kids, I'd be on the welfare rolls right now. Not everyone has kids to provide for them as mine have for me.

On the other hand, if the money the government took from you and dad for social security had been invested in a low-risk mutual fund, t-bills or even just a savings account, you would be comfortably well off. And when did anyone expect anything of a corporation except for its basic function of seeking profit? Individuals in corporations however, give billions of dollars in charity each year (Bill Gates has given millions and Sandra Bullock wrote a check for a million to the red cross recently), and that would be substantially more if the government wasn't robbing us blind

Unless you have worked in the fields of social work, you cannot know the problems those who are poor face. To say that they are poor because they are lazy is a gross over-generalization. It is true that the poverty in this country is not as dire as it is in other countries, but does that mean that it isn't of any consequence? You sound to me as if you have been raised in an upper-middle class environment and have never gotten "down and dirty" with the homeless, etc. Lucky you.

Again, I'm all for charity, but stealing money from the productive to give to the unproductive isn't charity, its socialism

I agree that where freedom is good abounds. But to say that where liberals reign, people perish. Again, a gross over-generalization. I am confused, however. You seem to be saying that government should not be in the business of taking care of people but George W.'s government is so good because we went to war to help people in Iraq? And what else has G. W. done to help the people of this country. Don't tell me the tax breaks or refunds because we are spending a billion dollars a day on this war in Iraq and somewhere, someday, that cost is coming out of our - your's and my - pockets. Also don't get on the Social Security kick, because it's a big mountain out of a molehill. And I think G.W. is making such a fuss over SS to deflect attention from the war and the criticism during the election that he wasn't taking an interest in the economy. History will someday prove that G.W. is as big a con man as Nixon was; at least Nixon didn't leave us with half the world hating us as they do now.

The government shouldn't be in the business of helping people. we went into Iraq because Saddam and his regime were a threat that needed to be dealt with. The sanctions weren't doing anything but lining the pockets of corrupt U.N. members and maintaining the suffering of the people under Saddam's tyranny. Once the threat was neutralized it was still necessary to replace the power vacuum caused by removing Saddam. In order that Iraq not become a threat again it needs to be a stable and friendly nation. Marshall planning them is the best chance of that coming to pass. As an added bonus 25 million people are freed from an oppressive regime.

Tax cuts raise revenue. Thats how it worked for JFK when he did it, thats how it worked for Reagan and that's how it is working for Bush. The real problem with the budget is trying to get Congress to stop spending all the money and more on crap they don't have the authority to do

Social Security reform is a lot bigger than you think. If private accounts get passed your grandchildren will retire wealthy instead of at the mercy of the bureaucracy


Sorry if I seem to be getting on your case. As Mike said, we of the "left-leaning" persuasion don't change our minds easily. But then neither does he, so he can't complain too much. Glad you decided to post; keep it up. Other opinions are always welcome - and maybe we can change your mind. (just kidding)

I tried to restrain myself but when no answer was forthcoming from any other quarter I got impatient. I hope I didn't offend.

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 14:16:12 02/25/05 Fri

Of course you didn't offend. I pretty much knew what you were going to say; I still don't agree on many of the points but I have to get really wound up to post to the degree that I did before. Not that being wound up caused me to say anything I didn't mean, just that it takes energy to argue a point and I don't usually use my energy that way.

I know that more government isn't the answer to many of our problems but I do think the country was better off when our laws against monopolys were being used. I know it's true that many rich people do donate lots of money; I just don't know where it goes. The programs that are in place to help the disadvantaged keep cutting services because of lack of money. This I have some personal knowledge of.

Corporations are made up of individuals but the upper echelons of the corporation make the decisions and most of the decisions are not made with the welfare of the workers in mind. And when did an entry level person get to negotiate an employment contract? If someone needs a job badly, they aren't going to feel they can negotiate benefits. I am mystified that you think big business is so great - Conoco certainly didn't do right by Dad after DuPont bought them; or with me when he died, still an employee.

Guess I did have some energy after all. But I know we are on opposite sides of these questions and I really don't expect to change anyone's mind. One thing I also wonder - do you think I changed from conservative to liberal because I don't try to think things through or look at things clearly? I hope I don't have a knee-jerk response to the questions that arise in the leading of our country. Anyway, my response was partly to Baxter and I hope I didn't scare him off. Even if he is on your side! 'jk'. I love all of you no matter what ideas, beliefs, etc. each one of you comes up with. I'm just glad you are all thinkers.

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[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 18:35:02 02/28/05 Mon

Frankly, I think that what originally caused you to be conservative was your respect for Dad's opinions, which were guided by logic and analysis. Without that influence your own natural inclination to emotional responses outweighs the analytical and you end up buying the more emotionally appealing leftist positions.

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[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Beth
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 00:52:25 03/02/05 Wed

Isn't this the same conversation you all had a couple of months ago? I think it went something like this:

Mike: Inflammatory remarks . . . blah blah blah, you guys are all wrong.

Mom: We are not wrong, you are, and this is why . . . blah blah blah . . . emotional tree-hugging stuff. Bush is bad.

Mike: No, you're wrong, and this is why . . . blah blah blah . . . You're too emotional (superior I'm-always-right tone) . . . yay for Bush.

Mom: Everything conservative = bad. Blah blah blah, yay for trees. I am NOT wrong (worked up tone).

Katy: Yeah!

Phil: I'm the only reasonable person here (superior, I'M always right tone).

Various other people: But . . . yeah . . . blah blah blah. We're liberals and proud of it.

Me: Something inane and totally off-topic to distract you guys from arguing about politics again.

Jody, Joe, John: . . . (non-posting slackers).

Mike: Yeah, but you guys are still wrong. And this is why I'm always right, and you're not. Ever. (extremely inflammatory remarks) But I don't mean to offend (cheery, I'm-still-right tone).

Mom: Oh you didn't offend, haha. But you're still wrong (trying-to-make-peace tone, but really holding it all in until she explodes). AND THIS IS WHY . . .

Mike: No, I'm never wrong, and again, this is why . . . blah blah blah blah.

Edie: Voice of Reason here . . . Mike, stop it.

Mike: But they're so wrong . . .

. . . .

Oh yeah, this one IS different. It starts out:

New guy: Hey, I've been noticing that most of you guys are wrong.

Mike: Yeah, you're right, new guy, they really are wrong, and this is why . . .

Mom: No we're not, and THIS is why . . . . . . . . . . .

*******

You people have pushed me to the point where, in a recent conversation with a friend, when he said "I don't vote", I said "GOOD". See what you're doing to me?

So anyway, a completely new topic would be nice.

Oh, and sorry if I offended anyone. It was all in good fun. =)

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom Z
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Date Posted: 22:45:54 03/02/05 Wed

Thank you, Beth, for that last post. I'm going to print it out and paste it to my computer to remind me not to go down this road again.

To you, Mike, I can only say that you don't know me very well and you certainly didn't know your Dad all that well either. If anything, he was more liberal than I was in many areas and I think you'd be surprised if he could enter the discussions now. But if it pleases you to think that he was always the logical, sane one and that I am nothing more than a ditzy gray-haired blonde, so be it.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 17:20:52 03/03/05 Thu

Yeah, Thanks Beth.

I shoulda known better.

Later

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[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 17:15:43 03/03/05 Thu

Way to see a thing in black and white Mom.

I didn't say you were a ditzy blonde or that Dad was a Vulcan but if it pleases you to misconstrue my words that way so be it.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Beth
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Date Posted: 20:31:53 03/03/05 Thu

Hey, I was just kidding, really. And you people should lighten up.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Katy
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Date Posted: 19:03:53 03/04/05 Fri

I like this forum, and I've always liked discussing things with all of my family, but lately it's gotten unhappy, or uncomfortable or something. I want to keep the forum so let's have some suggestions on etiquette...not a lot of rules but something so we don't get so upset or rude. Actually we should be able to do that without rules, just be more sensitive to each other. We have not all been together for so long and our discussions were one of the things I liked best so maybe we could talk about some interesting, or funny stuff that's not so touchy. I would also like to think my family members actually think I have a brain that is in use and not pea sized as well. I think all of you have GI-NORMOUS(a beth-ism) brains..eh, actually i'm just sucking up. And now I have to go...By the way Mike, Rachel and I saw one of the pictures you sent Mom of Jacob. He's pretty good looking for a long haired skater type. Rach thinks he'd fit right in here with all the cousins. we'll have to get some pictures on of all the kids. Can we put pictures on here Forum master-person, and if so why don't you do some and Mike or Edie could do some from their end?

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom
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Date Posted: 21:51:12 03/04/05 Fri

Well, hey, I tried making nice and you insulted me. I'm with Katy, tho, let's not get hostile with each other (I admit, I was being hostile) and let's talk about stuff that is funny or up-lifting or something. I know when I 'm with you, Mike, we talk these things out without either of us getting mad (at least I didn't then) but we don't have body language or facial expressions or tone of voice to modify what we say, so some things don't go over well. I'm glad you are passionate about what you believe and so am I, so, I don't want to be mad, Mick. I'll make up if you will. And I am going to quit talking politics and religion; what difference does it make? We all vote our conscience in private and that is what is important. And, also, what our spiritual beliefs are is no one's business but our own. So, here's the new me - hope I can stick by this new resolution. I'm gonna try.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 01:53:52 03/05/05 Sat

I can't control how you take what I say but that was no insult. I am sorry you took offense.

As I said to Beth, I shoulda known better.

Mea Culpa.

I won't be talkin' politics or religion here anymore.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Michael
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Date Posted: 02:23:56 03/05/05 Sat

I'll assume for the sake of "who the hell else would it be" that this "brain" comment is for me.

Let me clue you in, I don't argue with cretins so if I thought you couldn't keep up I wouldn't bother saying anything.

As for "Gi-normous", I thought it came from a SpikeTV show called "This Just In".

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Katy
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Date Posted: 10:13:30 03/05/05 Sat

The brain comment was not just for you Mike. It just seems like those that disagree with me seem to give the impression I couldn't have made an informed or reasonable opinion because my views are more liberal. Anyway, maybe sometime down the road we can talk politics again. Until then there's an interesting article in Discover right now about evolution. As to the origin of gi-normous my connection to it was through Beth thats all I meant. <3

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Beth
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Date Posted: 14:50:08 03/05/05 Sat

I'm gonna start deleting stuff if you guys don't play nice. I do have the power . . . bwa ha ha haaaa . .

And Katy - evolution, really? Do we want to open that bag of worms? But if we are, I have a really cool evolution debate tape that everyone should watch. And before you get all suspicious, it's very balanced; there's no outside commentary on who's more right or more wrong or whatever.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 09:51:49 03/07/05 Mon

Not to get to psychobabble on ya, but could it be that you perceive condescension because they're disagreeing with you rather than because they're actually being condescending?

A lot of folks disagree with me about most everything (its such a burden being the right one in a population of the wrong.) but only a minority of them are condescending, and I don't care because they're wrong so their condescension only makes them foolish in addition to being wrong.

When I argue with anyone its never my intention to be condescending. I focus on making sure that my argument is sound and I state it with confidence and authority. I may also, for the stubborn, restate or refine my argument to be more clear. My intention in any argument is to convince or at least win on the merits and never to diminish or belittle those I argue with or against.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom
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Date Posted: 22:39:19 03/19/05 Sat

Just a note here - I got kind of carried away several posts back and came down hard on Michael. I apologize for that. I do think it's a futile exercise to try to convince someone else of my position on politics or religion. Haven't we been warned since childhood (mine, at least) not to discuss polticis or religion with family and friends? A cliche to be sure, but true because of that. So, I was wrong; I apologize to Mike and anyone else who was offended by my rant. Love to all.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 10:40:41 03/21/05 Mon

No apology necessary.

I was just taken aback that someone that strives to be right-brained would be offended at being characterized that way.

I've never had a problem talking politics, religion or anything else with anyone, although sometimes others have a problem discussing those things with me. I think the real problem lies in the perception that the person you're having the discussion with dis-respects you because they disagree with you. Since I disagree with everyone about something or another I've come to realize it isn't good to take such things personally, or to give such disagreements too much weight. Hell, even Isaac Asimov (a fairly clever fellow) was dead wrong about gun control, that doesn't mean I thought less of his knowledge of science or physics.

I guess my question would be, why get upset about stuff you have no ability to influence? I can argue about some subject endlessly and never change anyone's opinion and never have my opinion changed so why treat the argument as any more important than a game of Unreal Tournament? It is pretty cool when you can win an argument but the objective of an argument is to win more than to persuade. It is however, pretty cool when I can actually change someone's perspective on an issue or when someone else can add a point to the argument that I can't refute or haven't heard before (that makes me do research and once in a great while, alter my own perspective).

The bottom line is that I'm the only one that can change my own opinion so the argument is nothing more than a game and maybe a catalyst for research.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
Mom
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Date Posted: 22:01:57 03/23/05 Wed

I guess that is one difference between us - I don't like to argue just for the sake of arguing. I enjoy discussing some things when it is just a discussion, but I admit that I enjoy it more when I'm discussing it with someone who sort of agrees with me. I have never liked just arguing - such a waste of energy! But I'm glad I didn't offend. I do get passionate about things that matter to me, so I am not a good debater (sp.?).

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Outside looking in


Author:
michael
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Date Posted: 00:57:38 03/24/05 Thu

I don't consider arguing a waste of time or energy as I get good things from it. First, argument drives me to research and analyse stuff I'm contending about. I've learned a lot more about history and government as a result of arguing online than I got from the public school system. The stuff I've researched for my arguments is accurate too, which is a substantial difference from what I "learned" in school. Second, arguing with clever folks can educate and enlighten when your wrong or ignorant of a subject. My understanding of quite a few issues has become more informed and deeper as a result of losing arguments with clever folks online. Third, I don't expect it to happen and it is quite rare but when you really hit the issue right and people acknowledge that you've changed their minds it can make your year.

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