Seriously...

[smokey the elder]

A line from a song by a group ironically titled "War" asks, "why can't we be friends?" There are places where I'll weigh in, others that I decide that the debate is too hot and "ad hominem" for my tastes. I would hope that we collectively consider what we write, and read it again before hitting "send".

[lizbud]

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.

If ever you feel mistreated in a thread again, please call the person
on it, myself included. Don't be afraid to say a comment was not fair.
The other person then can explain/or not.

I usually make a mental note of what & who made a snide or insulting
comment in a thread. You can see it go downhill after that.

[RICHARD]

Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?

I seen you 'round for a long long time
I really 'membered you when you drink my wine

Why can't we be friends?

I seen you walkin' down in Chinatown
I called you but you could not look around


I bring my money to the welfare line
I see you standing in it every time


The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony


I'd kinda like to be the President
so I can show you how your money's spent

Why can't we be friends?

Sometimes I don't speak too bright
but yet I know what I'm talking about


I know you're working for the CIA
they wouldn't have you in the Mafia....

--------------------------------

It's all about people not wanting to budge from an ideal.

If someone comes to me with an idea and they aren't confrontational about it, I am more apt to listen to them as opposed to someone who starts to hem and haw.

------------------------

The people who I have butted heads with in the past and have come to accept my stupid and moronic posts, are the best and 'funnest' members on the site. They see it's not a personal difference-it's more a difference of opinions and they don't venture into the "I don't like you because of your politics".

They see that politics do not define the person, it's the civility and respect we show each other.

----------------------

I think I'll tune in Keith Olberman and make snarky comments about his manhood, hairstyle and stupid comments.


He can't hear me.

[Hellow]

Alrighty, time I butt myself into this thread

Political debate is one thing. Debating is good, you generally have reasonable outcomes from such things. When we talk about tech in some of the places that I frequent, debates come up often. Nothing bad generally happens, and we seem to get things done faster after one (I dont know how, dont ask). When things turn from a debate into a all-out war, then things change. Blue is not the only person to blame for doing the latter that I mentioned.

People that cannot hold their tempers, people that always try to force their opinions onto others do not need to participate in these types of debates. Bad things happen when they do. I know that fact very well.

Those things aside, politics are a very rough area in the first place. History shows that, and people need to realize it. That's my $0.02 on that subject.

On the subject of blue expressing his opinion in his signature, and ill be blunt with this, did that impair your ability to browse this forum? Was it really that controversial that you had to call him on it? People express their opinion all the time, its a part of life. Deal with it.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I am not an expert on politics or do I feel I can discuss politics on much of any level. This is why I avoid the political threads.

I have to say that I've noticed that blue is not the only person that needs to be pointed to here. As a matter of fact, I've noticed, on a couple of occasions, he has been blasted for simply stating his opinion. That opinion was not necessarily damaging enough to be criticized either.

blue: I really hope we can keep you on this board and you don't feel the need to leave. I always get upset when a community member feels overwhelmed and ends up disappearing.

I want to also mention; excellent post from Alyssa and Collin. You two really give young people a good name.

[RICHARD]

Alrighty, time I butt myself into this thread

Political debate is one thing. Debating is good, you generally have reasonable outcomes from such things. When we talk about tech in some of the places that I frequent, debates come up often. Nothing bad generally happens, and we seem to get things done faster after one (I dont know how, dont ask).


Deal with it.

Great post.

Tekkies are always looking for things that will make the 'system' easier.

Someone in that convo sits back and goes "Effing Bingo! That is the answer."
Their excitement at solving a problem gets voiced at the table and someone sees another solution-they blurt out their thoughts and soon the original subject gets buried because the table buzzes with ideas on how to approach the problem.

The satisfaction of solving a problem, then seeing a solution is the drive that gets people to compromise, work together and get "rid of the table in the room".

With politics, everyone has a solution, but it cannot be put into motion because the AHs that represent us only listen to the people who have money to buy their support.

Again,
Politics do not make me form any personal opinions.

It's the personal opinions about politics than make me give out the stink eye.

-----------

God bless technology!

---------
Today's Tom Sawyer, He gets high on you,
And the space he invades, He gets by on you.

No, his mind is not for rent, To any God or government.
Always hopeful, yet discontent, He knows changes arent permanent, But change is.

And what you say about his company, Is what you say about society.
Catch the witness, catch the wit, Catch the spirit, catch the spit.

[JenBKR]

If ever you feel mistreated in a thread again, please call the person
on it, myself included. Don't be afraid to say a comment was not fair.
The other person then can explain/or not.

I usually make a mental note of what & who made a snide or insulting
comment in a thread. You can see it go downhill after that.

Thank you for that - you are someone I have always respected. I think that when the incident I was talking about happened, I was sort of taken aback because it was not at ALL what I was saying, and I tried to explain myself, but I don't think it helped much. The other poster isn't someone I had really ever talked to either...and sometimes I can take things a little personally. It's hard on the internet though, you can't see body language or tone of voice...not to mention that I have a rather odd sense of humor sometimes that not everyone gets

[RICHARD]

If this sounds like Kissing Arse, TFB.

A while ago I joined PT and found myself getting riled up about topics and had a few rows with people on the site.

Karen and Paul could have easily told me to, "Take a walk you loser!"

Since then, I have tried not to be a jerk in my posts. They have give me MILES of latitude and gave us a place where we can be "Slightly Controversial".

They have been the guardians and Moderators of PT and every single post since it started.

I think that one of the most important things about this site, the Dog House and the citizens who call PT home, is that we do respect each other and K& P especially, they do the dirty work in keeping the site running, The least we can do is to respect their time and not act like morons.

-------------------------------

Oh, I want to blurt out &*$^% or #@^%$^% when I read a post-then I think about getting a PM about my behavior.

That's enough to keep me from being a real jerk.

----------------

When I read a post that is especially harsh and in-your-face, I pass the urge to comment.

It's like the post about wrestling a pig?

It could be worse, you could wrestle a clown and he'll ask you to stick your hand in his pocket!

Thanks Karen and Paul.

One day I'll learn to behave and you will be proud of me.

[kitten645]

I gave up on the Dog House a while ago. It seems a very few people were monopolizing the forum and trying to provoke people. I'm definately one that doesn't think that a "bloody nose" ever helped a situation. Ever. I've also come to realize that my political views are not likely to change much less be changed by someone I don't respect so what's the point in aggrevating myself? I'm open to learning why people feel the way they do but the bashing is too much. I totally agree this is a PET site. I do love the Ignore feature here but as I mentioned, the forum is dominated by a few that I have on ignore and therefore it's pretty pointless reading the threads.
I for one do not find the arguements disguised as debate, enjoyable.
I take my politics seriously but I express my feelings not in cyberspace but in the real world. I would never be arrogant enough to think that I could change someones mind, particularly someone I've never met. I'll stick to cute kitty pics The world has enough negative energy.
Claudia

PS Funny that the song from War was quoted. They played here over the weekend and a bunch of people ended up stabbed! So much for "friends"! LOL.

[Pinot's Mom]

I have not been a member for THAT long, but I have posted a bit. I have not posted in very controversial spaces because, as it's been noted before, this is not that forum. I have had one post deleted by Karen, and I actually thanked her for it because it was the right thing to do. Sometimes you have to take a step back and realize you're posting a visceral response that's not right. As Richard said "The least we can do is to respect their time and not act like morons."

'nuff said.

Maggie

[K9soul]

On the subject of blue expressing his opinion in his signature, and ill be blunt with this, did that impair your ability to browse this forum? Was it really that controversial that you had to call him on it? People express their opinion all the time, its a part of life. Deal with it.

I suppose this is directed at me since I was the one who made mention of the signature, and you took it completely out of the context of which it was posted. I was pointing out to blue, since he started this thread and I was posting to the thread he started, that the manner in which he jumped into PT, going immediately to the Dog House without participating in any other part of the board first (that I saw), and immediately putting political statements in the sig. Those things combined were enough to make people question the motive he joined: Was it to join a pet board or was it to plunge into debate and argument? No where did I "call him out" for the sig. No where did I express that I was upset about what he had in his sig or that I was offended by it. I could care less what it says. It was a simply a piece of a whole picture in the first impression that I was trying to explain. Each of those little pieces put together can have contributed to people being more defensive and less open in conversation than they might have otherwise.

And this is another reason I rarely post in here. People nitpick phrases, pick one sentence out of an entire post so it is out of context and then only respond to that.

I stated I'd enjoy seeing other sides to Blue other than the debating/political side, and I would. It's the only side I've really seen other than some kind condolence messages to people with losses. I'm sure there is more to get to know. Until then he's just "that guy that argues in the doghouse all the time about politics."

That said, yes the private little wars that seem to be going on have gotten so very personal and seem to infiltrate other threads that aren't even to do with politics or in the doghouse. It's tiring and discouraging and makes me forego giving opinions on some things I might otherwise have joined in on.

[RICHARD]

As Richard said "The least we can do is to respect their time and not act like morons."

'nuff said.

Maggie

But have you ever wrestled a clown?

Thursdays is still the place to be in the Dog House.

[K9soul]

All right, I had walked away from the computer but kept thinking to myself, people still aren't going to get what your point is, they'll see it as choosing sides. So let's take names and specifics out of it and create an analogy:

I find a message board about pets. Most of the forums have to do with pets but there's a general section and in THAT section is a forum for more controversial subjects. I join this board at a time there is some intense argument going on whether they will make the site colors orange themed or purple themed. The first thing I do is jump into that thread and make it known purple theme is the best way to go and I fight tooth and nail with anyone who says otherwise. I make a signature right away in which I promote the purple theme vigorously. These people who are part of the pet board are looking at my posts, they're looking at my signature, and they are thinking "This person joined just to argue and fight over this hot controversy. She really isn't interested in talking about her pets or participating in the thing this whole board is truly about. She's not one of us."

They are going to be less civil to me, less tolerant of me. They will be more dismissive of my arguments. They are going to have their preconceived notions of what I'm about, that I'm only here to argue and prove my own views to be the correct ones.

And so that was my point: The things you say and do when you first meet up with a group of people, whether in person or on a board, influence the reception you will be received with. Just some food for thought.

[blue]

All right, I had walked away from the computer but kept thinking to myself, people still aren't going to get what your point is, they'll see it as choosing sides. So let's take names and specifics out of it and create an analogy:

I find a message board about pets. Most of the forums have to do with pets but there's a general section and in THAT section is a forum for more controversial subjects. I join this board at a time there is some intense argument going on whether they will make the site colors orange themed or purple themed. The first thing I do is jump into that thread and make it known purple theme is the best way to go and I fight tooth and nail with anyone who says otherwise. I make a signature and right away in which I promote the purple theme vigorously. These people who are part of the pet board are looking at my posts, they're looking at my signature, and they are thinking "This person joined just to argue and fight over this hot controversy. She really isn't interested in talking about her pets or participating in the thing this whole board is truly about. She's not one of us."

They are going to be less civil to me, less tolerant of me. They will be more dismissive of my arguments. They are going to have their preconceived notions of what I'm about, that I'm only here to argue and prove my own views to be the correct ones.

And so that was my point: The things you say and do when you first meet up with a group of people, whether in person or on a board, influence the reception you will be received with. Just some food for thought.

Point taken.

[K9soul]

Point taken.

I hope that means we'll get to see and hear more about your pups soon . I'll be keeping an eye out