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Social Issues and Politics
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Discussions on sensitive and sometimes controversial subjects. PLAY NICE!!!!!






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[Head banger] Sunday, August 16, 2009 2:31:38 PM 
damn double posts.  sigh.  its not important enough to see twice.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Head banger from Sunday, August 16, 2009 2:30:51 PM)
[Head banger] Sunday, August 16, 2009 2:30:51 PM 
the thing that made me think of that post first was seeing the debate on healthcare from the states.  its funny, you see both sides calling the other hitler...

here, lately we mostly do have civilized discussions, it wasnt always that way, but it is now.  It is hard to understand where others are coming from, but without knowing that how can anything they say mean anything?

BTW, the seek first to understand then to be understood comes from steven covey, think its part of the 7 habits.
[Head banger] Sunday, August 16, 2009 2:30:51 PM 
the thing that made me think of that post first was seeing the debate on healthcare from the states.  its funny, you see both sides calling the other hitler...

here, lately we mostly do have civilized discussions, it wasnt always that way, but it is now.  It is hard to understand where others are coming from, but without knowing that how can anything they say mean anything?

BTW, the seek first to understand then to be understood comes from steven covey, think its part of the 7 habits.
[I.M.P.] Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:33:27 PM 
That is a good point ron h.  Goes well with that quote HB used, "Seek to understand, and then to be understood."
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by ron h from Sunday, August 16, 2009 12:44:24 PM)
[I.M.P.] Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:30:16 PM 
You know, after reading that post in Blah you put up a few days ago, I was thinking it'd have been a good candidate for the Social Issues thread-and here you are, hehe.

And hey, HB, don't we have civilized discussions in here?  LOL.  I know what you mean though man.  It's a weird world.  I think partially it's the times we live, and the technology we have.  This is a stressed world we live in, and sticking to an opinion is sometimes a "crutch" if you will.  My opinion on that, lol.  Obama said it was guns and religion, well...  Anyway, I notice the ones that are doing the least bickering and yapping are the ones doing the DOING that needs done.  Just my experience there with the world.

Yeah, technology has a way of making things fast, easy, and convenient, and sometimes extremely accurate, however, it is only as good as we make it and use it.  Technology still requires the human brain to function.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Head banger from Sunday, August 16, 2009 9:44:09 AM)
[_strat_] Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:21:08 PM 
Well, I agree with that. Theres another thing here, when we take into consideration that we are from different parts of the world. We all have stereotypes. In my country, or I think even in Europe in general, the prevailing stereotype about Americans is that you are all just fat, dumb, TV addicts. Or, we know better, but thats the sort of an image that most of us will get when thinking about America. And Im sure that you have plenty of stereotypes about us. We all know that the stereotype isnt true, but its still there somewhere, and its sometimes hard to ignore it.

That, and since you mention the Western global policy (which is a good example, since it always generates the most heated debates), I guess I would have to take into consideration that most of the people here are Americans. From a country which is a major player (probably the biggest) in these policies, and I come from a country that has only recently joined up, and even that on a very small scale. Since American foreign policy is very much tied to patriotism towards America, I guess that I have to take into consideration that Im talking to people that are biased, whereas I dont feel any loyalty to the US (being that Im not American), and never have to answer for my countries actions in the global field.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by ron h from Sunday, August 16, 2009 12:44:24 PM)
[ron h] Sunday, August 16, 2009 12:44:24 PM 
I will add that it's sometimes hard to understand anothers' opinion when I can't understand how they came to it.  A lot of times ppl express an opinion that has no foundation or basis of fact, or even an experience with which to compare it to.  Let's say I don't agree with Strat on Western global policy, how am I to understand (or respect) his point of view if I've never had to walk in his shoes?  So, he would need to explain to me how he came to that point of view, what facts support or relate to me something he went through himself.  It happens way too often that opinions are given when the one who gives it can't substantiate it...if they even know what they're talking about.  That above all else really gets to me and I admit...get's extremely frustrating...especially if I can substantiate mine.  That was just example Strat, nothing more!! 
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by _strat_ from Sunday, August 16, 2009 10:28:01 AM)
[_strat_] Sunday, August 16, 2009 10:28:01 AM 
Good to see you back.

Well, Id say that its because we all have our opinions that we value a lot... And especialy in this thread those opinions touch things like patriotism, religion, ethnic backgrounds etc. Which are usualy very personal, and its easy to get into a situation where someones opinion insults someone else. 

I dont know... I usualy try not to be insulting, especialy towards regular members, although I guess I have slipped from time to time. Anyway, if I have an opinion on something I will say it, and I have been attacked for it before. Anthing from my critic of religion, opposing ethnic and national pride, opposing the Western global policy... And I guess some of my responses could be considered attacks as well. IDK. I think that above all we should keep in mind that just because someone says something we dont like, its not because that person wants to attack us or hurt us, but because that person really does think that way.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Head banger from Sunday, August 16, 2009 9:44:09 AM)
[Head banger] Sunday, August 16, 2009 9:44:09 AM 

Time for a rant.

 

Why can’t people in today environment have a civilized discussion?  Not just on the boards here, but in general.  So many things we discuss these days create anger and harsh words.  What does that accomplish?  Any issue that has any importance soon results in people calling names, yelling, and not understanding.  Try discussing abortion, global warming, taxes, health care, global trade, evolution, etc.   People have a hard and fast opinion and they stick to it.  They seek to convince the other side that they are wrong.  Do they get anywhere?  Hell no.  The motto “Seek first to understand then to be understood” seems lost these days.  Never let facts get in the way of what you know. 

 

While I am ranting, when did people start confusing a scientific theory with fact?  A fact is something that is proven, with no doubt.  A theory may be widely accepted, debated or whatever, but it’s not a fact.  Global warming, evolution, relativity are all theory’s that will most likely never be proven.  Then you here people using computer models or forecasts to prove something.  A computer model is a forecast.  It is only proof that someone can write a program.  The other day the weather forecast before I left for work was 0%, yet on the way to work it was raining.  Think about it, that’s a 2 hour time gap, and the forecast was wrong.  That forecast uses computer models, forecasters with years of experience, yet is wrong.  No model or forecast is proof of anything. 

 

Ok, rant over.  Be respectful, not close-minded, remember the difference between fact and theory, and for Pete's sake a forecast is not proof.  Now…  Everyone go back to arguing or sleeping, whichever.

[BLOOD SUCKER Esquire] Monday, July 27, 2009 2:06:26 AM 
Does anyone here think that the moon-landing was staged? Seems that the era that we lived in back then did not have the technical capabilities of putting a man on the moon. We're barely capable of cleaning up our present dilemnas with air travel. So to think that Nassau launched all these Apollo missions and sent 3 or 4 crews to carry out their moon walks and such is becoming more fraudulant as the years pass. I do believe in the space shuttle and space station projects. However, 7-10 day missions with limited technological savvy in 1969-1972? And here we are 40 years later, and have yet to go back? The question is, were we really there in the first place? And when is this planned mission to Mars? Rather puzzling with the 'so-called' evidence in one hand, and the conspiracy theory in the other! Thank you. (a. Hammerstein)
[Palmer Griffiths] Sunday, July 26, 2009 1:45:18 PM 
   I don't know if I'm going a little off topic here but as I've gotten older I've gotten a little more cynical. I don't really believe alot of what the media feeds us or what Politicians tell us. I think George Carlin was right when he said we have the illusion that we have freedom of choice.The only freedom of choice we're limited to is Glazed or Jelly donuts,Smoking or non Smoking.I think politicians are there as smoke screens and window dressing and big business is calling the shots. A select few are the ones that are making the major decisions ex: the big corporations and the lobbyists who influence policies that are made.Anyhow that's just my opinon.  Check this out     

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYIC0eZYEtI
[ron h] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:26:36 PM 
I hear ya Strat!!  These are complex days and there are no easy answers.  I just try to hang on to what I've got and do the best for me and my family just like anybody else no matter where you live.  I wonder what the world would be like if there were no politicos?  no government? no kings or queens or emirs...just simple life with simple folk making their way...
Sorry you just got up as it's now time for bed here...good chatting with you!! 
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by _strat_ from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:16:01 PM)
[_strat_] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:16:01 PM 
Well, I wouldnt know much about her political career, save from the presidential campaign...

Now, IDK, I guess generaly speaking, nobody likes politicians that dont do anything much... Then again, from what Ive seen up until now, I kinda prefer those that just cash their paychecks and dont do anything... Its the surest way that they wont screw anything up. Which is what most do, when they try to actualy do something.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by ronhartsell from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:10:59 PM)
[ron h] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:10:59 PM 
I can't say I've been following her travels as I have enough to deal with in my own backyard.  I will say this, she's a ball of fire and shows no ill effects of her loss.  That woman has been non-stop on the go pretty much from the time she accepted her position...I'll give her that much.  Whether any of it makes a difference...I don't know, but she's not sitting back cashing her paycheck like a lot of other politicans.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by _strat_ from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:05:14 PM)
[_strat_] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:05:14 PM 
Lol. I think Ive seen that one before, but its still funny.

IDK, tho... Personaly, even tho it all came out funny and allright, it still has an edge to it... Ive been to those warzones myself (after the war, of course), and I know a couple of people that fled from the war and now live here... Looking at it that way, a bithc on the other end of the world, trying to make herself a hero on that account isnt all that funny anymore.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by ronhartsell from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:59:38 PM)
[ron h] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:59:38 PM 

  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by _strat_ from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:56:07 PM)
[_strat_] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 8:56:07 PM 
Lol. I wont argue with that. 

IDK, back when your presidential campaign started, I really thought that she might do ok... But as it went, Im really glad for you people that you didnt elect her. That Bosnian sniper dogding thing was a laugh tho.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by ronhartsell from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:11:38 PM)
[ron h] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:11:38 PM 
Hilary is much more of a man than Bill will ever be!!!!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by _strat_ from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:18:49 PM)
[_strat_] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:18:49 PM 
I see... Hillary better watch out then.
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by ronhartsell from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:31:12 PM)
[ron h] Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:31:12 PM 
Hey Strat!!  No I would NOT!!!  I was a Republican through the Reagan Era and the first Bush, but that was it!!  I actually voted for Ross Perot in '92 and then crossed fully to the dark side in '96, the 2ND term of the Clinton Era and have never crossed back!!!

And YES...the puppy ROCKS!!!
  [Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by _strat_ from Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:52:53 AM)
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