You have touched on precisely the reason why I, among others, have chosen to spend less time involved in this forum.
I've left, and after a time, returned, albeit with a revised monicker (if theres anyone left who doesn't know it, I used to be known as MasterZed around here). I hope you will choose to merely take a step back, take a break, and return with fresh energy.
Boys and girls, this is no place for a moderate -- even a Republican one. I do not feel like I fit in or contribute to the bitterly partisan give-and-take. Therefore, I will not be posting here again (like anybody cares!).
With that, I would like to leave you with the following:
"Name calling"
"Bad names have played a tremendously powerful role in the history of the world and in our own individual development. They have ruined reputations, stirred men and women to outstanding accomplishments, sent others to prison cells, and made men mad enough to enter battle and slaughter their fellowmen. They have been and are applied to other people, groups, gangs, tribes, colleges, political parties, neighborhoods, states, sections of the country, nations, and races." (Institute for Propaganda Analysis, 1938) The name-calling technique links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. The propagandist who uses this technique hopes that the audience will reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence. The most obvious type of name calling involves bad names. For example, consider the following: Commie Fascist Pig Yuppie Bum Queer Terrorist A more subtle form of name-calling involves words or phrases that are selected because they possess a negative emotional charge. Those who oppose budget cuts may characterize fiscally conservative politicians as "stingy." Supporters might prefer to describe them as "thrifty." Both words refer to the same behavior, but they have very different connotations. Other examples of negatively charged words include: social engineering radical cowardly counter-culture The name-calling technique was first identified by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis (IPA) in 1938. According to the IPA, we should ask ourselves the following questions when we spot an example of name-calling. What does the name mean? Does the idea in question have a legitimate connection with the real meaning of the name? Is an idea that serves my best interests being dismissed through giving it a name I don't like? Leaving the name out of consideration, what are the merits of the idea itself?
You have touched on precisely the reason why I, among others, have chosen to spend less time involved in this forum.
I've left, and after a time, returned, albeit with a revised monicker (if theres anyone left who doesn't know it, I used to be known as MasterZed around here). I hope you will choose to merely take a step back, take a break, and return with fresh energy.
I hope you reconsider and continue to post, we need more people like you posting actually.
I enjoyed the honest and rational posts and discourse that you brought here.
Don't let the name calling and trash talking on the board get to you, I've been around over 5 years on this board, you learn to overlook it and not even read it very often, unfortunately sometimes they pull you into it, and you reply in kind, but it's not like any of us really hate one another.
Anyways, if you decide not to post take care, and Peace! back to you. It was nice having a few discourses with you that actually didn't deteriorate into name calling and the typical childish rants on the board. Have fun and VOTE for me someday if I run, {I'll be the bleeding heart liberal with the smart-ass sarcastic attitude that wants to change the world for the better and get government out of our lives} take care.
You Commie, Fascist, Pig, what with your radical, cowardly, counter culture post,you've effected an outpouring of civility on this normally uncivil board. Hell, you can't leave now, maybe there's hope yet. Don't let the hate mongerers win, stick around, we need more people who don't toe the party line, either party.
desperately needed for the good of the country!Your posts have elevated the discourse level on this board.Finally, let me touch on your last post: The decision to go to war doesn't depend on the president alone(though he bears ultimate responsibility)but on geopolitical and vital economic interests expressed through the joint chiefs, congress and yes, the public. Unfortunately, the latter can be manipulated by propaganda-hence the demonization & name-calling.In WWI and WWII(Wilson,Roosevelt)the US vital interest was to prevent Germany's hegemony over Europe and Japan's hegemony over asia; besides they attacked us first!I'll skip over the cold war of which vietnam was a by-product, since both republican and democratic administrations were involved.While 9/11 justified Afghanistan,I fail to find a justifiable reason for the iraq war, other than proven fallacies expounded by this administration....Frankly,I fear for the path our country is on!
I can't believe it. A half dozen guys don't understand that it's only MEN who are programmed to respond to begging; women just take it as a sign that you're open to manipulation.
I looked forward to more discussion-- but other things in my life obstructed it. I hope you eventually come back, perhaps at about the time that I do. Not likely, I know, but I like the thought.
I had a retrospect look at your posts that I missed. We were on the opposite side, but you really did and do challenge me and my opinions.
If this is truly your last post on this forum, I for one, will miss you.
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take care.