Seriously...

[Karen]

I understand. But to REALLY debate politics, the gloves NEED to be able to come off. (Not talking about demeaning the other person.) Read some of notes from our Constitutional Convention...

I do know that about politics. That is why I chose not to join political sites. And politicians of the past were not all always civil or respectful, but they were not part of Pet Talk, either.

[blue]

Blue, many people here follow the rule Grandma tried to teach us, "If you cannot say something nice, say nothing at all." Still others prefer not to discuss their politics here on a pet board, others decide not to discuss them publicly at all.

Not everyone thinks fighting about politics is fun. And as this is a place mainly for pet discussion, I know some think discussion of politics is out of place.

Do not assume anyone's political leanings because of their lack of posting on the subject. The one thing we have in common here is love for our pets - that's all that matters!

An honest debate is a good mental exercise, political fighting is a different animal all together. I dont try and disguise a political thread when I post here, and I dont delete it if it dosent go the way I thought it would.

There are many people with differing political views than myself that I have the utmost respect for. Many times blue you come across as condescending and arrogant, just keeping it real.

Many of my liberal real life friends come across as more then condescending and arrogant, that dosent stop me from being friends with them or have any less respect for them.

People wear their politics on their shoulder. They assume that who ever has an 'opponent' ideal and they cannot say, "Oh, you have an opposing view and I respect that."

Nope, they go ALL G-STRING and walk around trying to pluck out an opinion that just don't sit right with them.

Tough shoot, because when anyone that sits at opposite ends of a table decide to get their craniums outta the nether regions, things work out.

They move the table out of the room and everyone parties.

I look at politics like this - If you start a convo with a person about politics, and still are able to sit in each other's presence - you managed to respect each other.

I find some politics funny, others serious and most boring.

The only difference between a politician and me is when I eff up, hardly anyone takes notice.

The real reason that some people are so adamant about THEIR politics is that they invest so much of their lives into backing their candidate, they cannot admit they elected an effing moron.

All the effing morons I elected/voted for don't define me, 'speak' for me or care about me.

They just spend my money!

I just like your posts, you do bring the funnay.

has anyone ever changed their political opinion on anything just because they read an opposing view on a message board? Discussions usually start civil enough but eventually turn into cut-and-paste-battles between worthy opponents with a case of the blabber-fingers, posting endless articles and stories supporting their views.

This is a pet forum and I've never seen "a certain person" post anything about his pets since I've been here. Have I missed something?

I voted for Bob Barr because of a discussion on an Offroad Forum, and Im currently wearing a McCain tshirt.

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=147044

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=147045

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=147043

I hope the pics still work since my yahoo account expired.

If the pics in the threads still work Ill include Bailey.

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=147075

I wish I still had pics of my fish and sting rays.

Blue, I can tell how miffed you are that most PTalkers don’t agree with your political views, or your desire for arming the citizens of USA. What a bummer, eh!

You most definately are in minority here, or I would not be here!

Years ago, we used to have fun on PT, we shared good advice and stories about our pets. I fear that many people who browse PT and see all kinds of political bickering, refrain from joining - they would surely expect this Forum to be for pet lovers.

Having seen your posts over a period of time, I was beginning to wonder if you have any pets yourself, because you seem to be posting about everything else than pets.

There are Forums out there for people like you - maybe you should join one. I’ll provide a link here for you:
http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/
... and one more: http://www.politicalcrossfire.com/


It’s outrageous that you can accuse ES for being a troll and turn her thread about a National Park into a political fight! It doesn't seem ES can anything without a nasty comment from you. I believe quite a few of us are SO fed up with it!

I am in no way miffed Randie, if I where I would have been a thread deleter and made a thread back pedaling my position.

I dont mind being in the minority but when I post a political thread I dont try and disguise it as something else and delete it when it doesnt go how I thought it would.

Scroll up just a little above for my pets. FWIW my digi cam sucks and other then showing my dogs do great on a tandem lead on the over head cable run I realy havent much to share. I know I realy should be taking more pics of the Hellions and Erp, I do know Im going to regret it later when they are gone.

If the 2 links you posted are anything like the DemocraticUnderground they arent interested in a honest debate. I may take the timne to look at them later but to tell you the truth, preaching to the choir is boring.

ES even posted that her original National Park thread was to provide a political balance at PT, after I agreed that the NPS is a worthwhile spending of Federal Funds in that thread. I corrected a few historical facts in the deleted thread. I've called her a troll but not in the National Parks thread. She has accused me of trolling as well, Im sure you arent in anyway outraged about that. Besides, I at least have a backbone enough not to delete the thread and back pedal.

I agree & the last few weeks, the rudeness has really been over the top.

From both sides.

Holy cow - those forums are frightening!! People posting there, and others who post on the opposite side of the spectrum - they are the kind whom I can envision doing evil things - like the man who shot Dr. Tiller earlier today.

Fanatics, rabid fanatics - that's what they are.

Again I will bring up the DemocraticUnderground, I havent looked at the forums Randie posted, Im jusssayin.

I agree wholeheartedly with you Pam!

More National Park pics! Thats all I realy wanted.

Good post and I couldn't agree more. The originator of this thread nit picked my spelling and thats when I lost respect.

The irony is I am dyslexic, have ADD, and you make spelling errors that are very obvious to me. Thats pretty rare.

I do know that about politics. That is why I chose not to join political sites. And politicians of the past were not all always civil or respectful, but they were not part of Pet Talk, either.

Most political sites all preach to the choir and the cheerleaders lead, the ones that dont play along to get along join the band.

[caseysmom]

Two crutches????

[blue]

Two crutches????

That I have learned to overcome quite well, thank you.

[caseysmom]

That I have learned to overcome quite well, thank you.

Must have if your so comfortable being the critic.

[blue]

Must have if your so comfortable being the critic.

Ironic aint it?

[Medusa]

You see? It just doesn't stop. Sparks19 pointed out that insults and criticisms fly which is the reason she and several others hesitate to join in at the DH but it still doesn't get through to some people. "She can't mean me" is the attitude that seems to prevail here. I was so one-pointed when I first joined PT that I didn't even notice the DH or General. I was focused on my cats and their health and well being. It was probably a couple of years before I ventured into DH territory. This is a pet site after all.

[RICHARD]

I like the DH and some of the threads here.

I don't take someone's 'opinion' to heart and I can handle the barbs tossed my way.

I don't judge anyone for their views and find that when a discussion breaks down to name calling, it just means that the name caller didn't do their homework, can't debate a point and should not be so pompous that they cannot admit another's view is just as valid as the next.

Politics does make strange bedfellows-just sleep with one eye open-those Lefties are a kinky bunch, the Righties want to regulate what happens between the sheets and the mods are too busy trying to hide their proclivities.


P.S. I have never posted amongst the gods- and still have not!

[K9soul]

I was so one-pointed when I first joined PT that I didn't even notice the DH or General. I was focused on my cats and their health and well being. It was probably a couple of years before I ventured into DH territory. This is a pet site after all.

I was just thinking about this last night. I joined PT and didn't even wander out of Dog General for the first few weeks. Most people come here for pet-related reasons and spend their initial time here introducing and talking about their own pets and getting to know the pets of others here. By the time I "discovered" the Dog House I had already become attached to members and their pets, knew their "good" side so to speak, and was better able to respect their viewpoints on more controversial topics.

Blue, the first posts I ever saw by you were in the Doghouse, during a heated election time. You put political statements in your signature soon after you joined. It is only natural it put people on the defensive and made them wonder about your motives for joining. Yes I have seen rudeness and pettiness on both sides, but you feed into it just as much as anyone else, so I don't understand how you can accuse others while participating in the same level of behavior yourself. I'd love to learn more about other aspects of you and your pets, but I really only see you in the Doghouse. Because of that, your posts here define you. I guess what I am trying to say is it would be nice to see the other sides to you more often besides the debating/political side.

[Cinder & Smoke]

As a follow-up to these thoughts >>>

Politics need not be a "contact sport" here on Pet Talk.
If you want to really argue about politics, instead of having polite, respectful discussion,
there are other boards where that is more appropriate, and welcome.

I do know that about politics.
That is why I chose not to join political sites.
And politicians of the past were not all always civil or respectful,
but they were not part of Pet Talk, either.

I offer a quote from a long-time Pet Talker who most folks know well:

"I think it’s OK with the odd political thread,
but the Forum is flooded with them now.

Ha, just think about it ... I’ve been telling my friends from a Cat group
that PT is such a nice and friendly Forum, with good stories
and advice about pets. If they take a look and see this sort of rubbish,
imagine what they will think!"

Let's TRY to remember that PT was and IS supposed to be about our PETS -
IF I want to read about the World's Problems and how the politicians are
stealing & wasting my tax dollars, there are a zillion other web sites I can visit ...

I come to Pet Talk to **ENJOY** myself and swap Pet Tails ...
NOT to get all wound up in tales of grief, mayhem, and rottten politics.

Let's get back to Basics ... the subject is PETS.

/s/ Phred

[lizbud]

I understand. But to REALLY debate politics, the gloves NEED to be able to come off. (Not talking about demeaning the other person.

You say" I understand" but you still don't seem to understand what
Karen is saying. This is not a "debate" forum. It's a pet forum. I like
to post on current events as well as pets , and for that I'm glad there
is a dog house.

[JenBKR]

I am not a very political person, but sometimes I will comment in the political threads. Shortly after the elections I made a comment that got me flamed by a PTer who did not understand at all what I said (I was making a joke about not being able to keep up with the elections because of Ty). I apologized and edited my post, but I suppose that wasn't good enough for this person. Soo, I haven't been in the dog house much lately (although I haven't been on PT much, or even the computer, because I have been so busy with Ty). Maybe we should all think before we respond. I do think that there are some people on here who can be condesending, or seem to take it personally if someone has a different opinion. There are people on here who I greatly respect, even if I don't share their opinions on everything.

[Alysser]

I am not a very political person, but sometimes I will comment in the political threads. Shortly after the elections I made a comment that got me flamed by a PTer who did not understand at all what I said (I was making a joke about not being able to keep up with the elections because of Ty). I apologized and edited my post, but I suppose that wasn't good enough for this person. Soo, I haven't been in the dog house much lately (although I haven't been on PT much, or even the computer, because I have been so busy with Ty). Maybe we should all think before we respond. I do think that there are some people on here who can be condesending, or seem to take it personally if someone has a different opinion. There are people on here who I greatly respect, even if I don't share their opinions on everything.

The same thing happened to me, Jen. I was not rude to anyone in my statement either just had a different opinion, and because I'm 16(which someone mentioned as they were posting) I "don't know anything about politics". So I just edited the post and left the Dog house and I've not posted in a political thread since.

Just saying that Blue isn't the only one who is rude in some of the threads, many people are on both sides. We all need to come to a compromise, not just him.

[pomtzu]

Just saying that Blue isn't the only one who is rude in some of the threads, many people are on both sides. We all need to come to a compromise, not just him.

A wise statement from a teenager. Thank you.

[JenBKR]

The same thing happened to me, Jen. I was not rude to anyone in my statement either just had a different opinion, and because I'm 16(which someone mentioned as they were posting) I "don't know anything about politics". So I just edited the post and left the Dog house and I've not posted in a political thread since.

Just saying that Blue isn't the only one who is rude in some of the threads, many people are on both sides. We all need to come to a compromise, not just him.

It can hurt to be shut down like that. I am sorry it happened to you...I personally think that you are a very mature teenager.