OMGracious enough already...

[Guest]

Ya know... I have been sitting here for the last oh I don't know two weeks... a month whatever and been reading the postings. I don't get into alot of the debates, fights, mudslinging or what have you because I simply don't want to get involved. At times I have opinions on things and I voice them because hey I am here too....

HOWEVER....

What has been going on in the AH recently just absolutely takes the flippin cake.....
Is anyone actually READING what is going on....
This person is talking trash about that one
that group is picking on that person
that person is calling this one names
those ones are ganging up on this one or that one

OMGracious when did we all revert to high school????

I have posted a few zingers lately but not attacking someone... but trying to hold up a mirror in their face going "do you actually SEE what you are writing??"

At the end of the day... the election will be over... at the end of the day the different things that are cropping up in the news will be finished.... at the end of the day we are all authors to various degrees and stand points... at the end of the day WE WERE ALL FRIENDS AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER....

However....
with the current trend
at the end of the day
how many of us will still be friends?

Think about that next time you blast someone on the boards, IM, PM, email or on another site.

 

[neonlyte]

Ya know... I have been sitting here for the last oh I don't know two weeks... a month whatever and been reading the postings. I don't get into alot of the debates, fights, mudslinging or what have you because I simply don't want to get involved. At times I have opinions on things and I voice them because hey I am here too....

HOWEVER....

What has been going on in the AH recently just absolutely takes the flippin cake.....
Is anyone actually READING what is going on....
This person is talking trash about that one
that group is picking on that person
that person is calling this one names
those ones are ganging up on this one or that one

OMGracious when did we all revert to high school????

I have posted a few zingers lately but not attacking someone... but trying to hold up a mirror in their face going "do you actually SEE what you are writing??"

At the end of the day... the election will be over... at the end of the day the different things that are cropping up in the news will be finished.... at the end of the day we are all authors to various degrees and stand points... at the end of the day WE WERE ALL FRIENDS AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER....

However....
with the current trend
at the end of the day
how many of us will still be friends?

Think about that next time you blast someone on the boards, IM, PM, email or on another site.

And ask yourself, would you behave like that if you were both in the same room? Share differences, don't make difference the one thing that identifies you.

 

[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

Ya know... I have been sitting here for the last oh I don't know two weeks... a month whatever and been reading the postings. I don't get into alot of the debates, fights, mudslinging or what have you because I simply don't want to get involved. At times I have opinions on things and I voice them because hey I am here too....

HOWEVER....

What has been going on in the AH recently just absolutely takes the flippin cake.....
Is anyone actually READING what is going on....
This person is talking trash about that one
that group is picking on that person
that person is calling this one names
those ones are ganging up on this one or that one

OMGracious when did we all revert to high school????

I have posted a few zingers lately but not attacking someone... but trying to hold up a mirror in their face going "do you actually SEE what you are writing??"

At the end of the day... the election will be over... at the end of the day the different things that are cropping up in the news will be finished.... at the end of the day we are all authors to various degrees and stand points... at the end of the day WE WERE ALL FRIENDS AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER....

However....
with the current trend
at the end of the day
how many of us will still be friends?

Think about that next time you blast someone on the boards, IM, PM, email or on another site.

I congratulate you for the courage to post this. Since, I've joined last year, I've been unfairly singled out. I may be the most bashed writer here.

Hey, I'm a nice guy in real life. I donate alot of money and time to the homeless shelter and used to donate time and money, now just money, to Children's Hospital.

Yet, too many people here have too many issues. Surely, if they met me in person, I'm kind of big, they'd never say the things to my face that they write about me on this board.

This could be a wonderful site if people would treat it the way that it was intended. I'm here to write stories and receive feedback. Others are here to bash stories and vomit their misery.

I'm willing to help fix it. Perhaps, if a group of us signed a petition of honor to show others how to behave by example, we could get the ball rolling in the right direction. I'm willing to establish a code of honor and to shun those who don't follow that code.

What do you think?

I'm being sincere and I hope that people won't bash my post. Yes, I have written many horrible things about some of the AH regulars here, but only after I was attacked and my stories were bashed. I don't want to waste this thread defending myself all over again and going over things that are in the past. I'd like for all of us to have a better experience here and to stop the meanness.

Sometimes, this place is like road rage on the highway, only cyber rage on the Internet.

 

[starrkers]

And ask yourself, would you behave like that if you were both in the same room? Share differences, don't make difference the one thing that identifies you.

Good point, neon. If what you are posting would risk getting you punched in the nose if you said it to someone's face, it's probably a good idea not to type it either.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Elizabeth, are you talking about the political threads (of which there are too many)? I will assume yes.

First, I'm sorry I was tough on you in one of them yesterday. I should have been more gentle with you, as I try to be with any mostly "nonpolitical" who wanders in there.

But it's not what you think in those threads. Most of those involved are there because they enjoy the jousting. Things get heated at time, but we are an exceptionally civil and sophisticated group in the realm or online political debate, as I've been describining in the "too many political threads" thread.

Excerpts:

Your AH colleagues who participate in the politicals are pretty darned good and sophisticated about it. We are tough and uncompromising in our rhetoric, and I know that makes you uncomfortable, but with occassional temporary departures we are not mean to each other on a personal level. We may accuse each other of being misguided and clueless, but most of the time we recognize that we all share certain core values and want good things for all people. That's the real definintion of civility - not mamby-pampy, artificial politeness.

This level of civility and sophistication in political debate is a rare thing, especially on the internet. So rather than getting anxious, you can feel proud that, much though it's like fingernails on a blackboard to you, the political discourse that goes on here is a credit to this community.

Being "good" at political debating in the sense I'm discussing means civil, clever, creative, maybe funny, possibly tough and uncompromising but also gentle where appropriate, thoughtful rather than blindly partisan, serious but not taking yourself too seriously, not petty, and more.

There is lots of sophisticated political discussion online, mostly on blog sites like Kos or Redstate where people who agree with one another talk to one another. There are very few places where people who disagree butt heads, and most of the time it's not pretty and it's not sophisticated.

What we've got here is a Lake Woebegone class of above average people, as seen in the fact that they are mostly all writers. The fact that it's a porn board raises the tone in that we don't have simplistic religious nutcakes judging everything and one based on Leviticus strictures.

It's really quite special, an oasis and a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn and grow by butting heads civilly with people who disagree with us.

Bottom line: I'm sorry that the politicals are taking up so much AH real estate at this moment. I know we are a form of "pollution" to others in the community. But honestly, in important ways we can be viewed as a source of pride for the community.

 

[starrkers]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/funny-pictures-goats-are-in-time-out.jpg

 

[Stella_Omega]

Good point, neon. If what you are posting would risk getting you punched in the nose if you said it to someone's face, it's probably a good idea not to type it either.

There are many things that are still entirely worth saying, regardless of someone's impulses towards violence. This is a pretty fucking important election to most of us Americans, on both sides of the fence. It really-- REALLY is.

*musing*

One of the beauties of the internet is that it levels the playing field muscles-wise. A physical wimp is every bit as powerful as an athlete-- in the virtual world. And it changes many other dynamics as well-- I know men who can roar like a hurricane when they want to stop a discussion. Online, their shout-loud technique just doesn't work. Or if you've spent your life pouting to get your way, you learn an awful lot about diplomacy when your quivering lip is invisible...

The internet flips the power dynamic. The physical bully is the loser-- the articulate communicator wins. Then, of course, you end up with verbal bullies, and new ways to combat bullying.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

There are many things that are still entirely worth saying, regardless of someone's impulses towards violence. This is a pretty fucking important election to most of us Americans, on both sides of the fence. It really-- REALLY is.

*musing*

One of the beauties of the internet is that it levels the playing field muscles-wise. A physical wimp is every bit as powerful as an athlete-- in the virtual world. And it changes many other dynamics as well-- I know men who can roar like a hurricane when they want to stop a discussion. Online, their shout-loud technique just doesn't work. Or if you've spent your life pouting to get your way, you learn an awful lot about diplomacy when your quivering lip is invisible...

The internet flips the power dynamic. The physical bully is the loser-- the articulate communicator wins. Then, of course, you end up with verbal bullies, and new ways to combat bullying.

And, of course, those of us who don't think it will be end of the world if the one we eventually vote for doesn't win, can just shake our heads in dismay at what we view as a serious lack of sophistication and go out for a drink.

Wah-hey!

 

[neonlyte]

Good point, neon. If what you are posting would risk getting you punched in the nose if you said it to someone's face, it's probably a good idea not to type it either.

Hmm. I was less concerned with violence than with disputing in the company of others. There is a general tendency, when in physical company, to be rational and considerate rather than borish and demanding. Just as Stella allows that the Internet levels the physical playing field, it also excuses the necessity of consideration.

 

[Misty_Morning]

*just dies laughing*

I am so incredibly amused I cannot see straight.... absolutely hysterical. Nice job Palin.

To take delight in another persons anquish....is apalling......

 

[voluptuary_manque]

To take delight in another persons anquish....is apalling......

To spell apalling is appalling.

 

[Misty_Morning]

To spell apalling is appalling.

Thank you, I am forever the misspellor....

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Thank you, I am forever the misspellor....

 

[Stella_Omega]

And, of course, those of us who don't think it will be end of the world if the one we eventually vote for doesn't win, can just shake our heads in dismay at what we view as a serious lack of sophistication and go out for a drink.

Wah-hey!

That would be those of us whose children are older than potential military draft age range...

Because honestly, that would be a lot like my world ending.

wahoo.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

That would be those of us whose children are older than potential military draft age range...

Because honestly, that would be a lot like my world ending.

wahoo.

Uh, if such an ugly things head arise on the horizon, jus' call ol' Sarge. I got a million ways of dealing with that sort of situation. However, the likelihood is low, no matter who gets elected. The Draft is an emergency measure only useful when the nation is in dire danger and there isn't a potential foe out there big enough to warrant it. Ol' stupid-head Johnson proved that one for us, the bastard.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Uh, if such an ugly things head arise on the horizon, jus' call ol' Sarge. I got a million ways of dealing with that sort of situation. However, the likelihood is low, no matter who gets elected. The Draft is an emergency measure only useful when the nation is in dire danger and there isn't a potential foe out there big enough to warrant it. Ol' stupid-head Johnson proved that one for us, the bastard.

Take a gander due south, Sarge.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

The phrase "drafted mercenaries" is an oxymoron. That's a merc training camp. It isn't the first and won't be the last but it won't last because they aren't economical . . . for the company. It's easier to hire former military who were dropped on their heads as children.

 

[DeeZire]

And, of course, those of us who don't think it will be end of the world if the one we eventually vote for doesn't win, can just shake our heads in dismay at what we view as a serious lack of sophistication and go out for a drink.

Wah-hey!

What if the the one we don't vote for precipitates another 9/11? Or a nuclear war? Would you still shake your head in dismay and go out for a drink? (Assuming you lived through it.) These are the stakes, my friend. This ain't no way-hey moment.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

What if the the one we don't vote for precipitates another 9/11? Or a nuclear war? Would you still shake your head in dismay and go out for a drink? (Assuming you lived through it.) These are the stakes, my friend. This ain't no way-hey moment.

I will now walk away from this overwrought, completely unrealistic worldview. Some people watch entirely too much television. Good night to you.

 

[Stella_Omega]

The phrase "drafted mercenaries" is an oxymoron. That's a merc training camp. It isn't the first and won't be the last but it won't last because they aren't economical . . . for the company. It's easier to hire former military who were dropped on their heads as children.

Yeah, because Blackwater is such a losing proposition in Iraq.

Dude, the only way we can keep this an uneconomical concern is by going out of our way to make sure of it.

Deezire's worry doesn't seem that unrealistic to me. And I do not watch any TV.

 

[TE999]

Oh look! Liz's thread premise just flew out the window!

 

[starrkers]

Oh look! Liz's thread premise just flew out the window!

That didn't take long

 

[DeeZire]

I will now walk away from this overwrought, completely unrealistic worldview. Some people watch entirely too much television. Good night to you.

My point is, I don't want another hothead making quick, unreasoned, devil-may-care decisions in the Whitehouse. I also don't want a vindictive, gun-toting 'bulldog with lipstick' who's on a mission from God to spread democracy around the world. History is littered with religious fanatics who started wars because they thought God was on their side. The last thing this country needs now is more macho posturing, and more bully tactics turning the whole world even more hostile to anything having to do with the USA.

No, I don't watch much entertainment TV, other than buying my favorite shows on DVD so I can avoid the commercials (and the political ads.) I do watch the news on PBS. I like the fact that it's not soundbite oriented, and it's not propaganda disguised as news. It's just a bunch of information, with Mark Shields and David Brooks adding their left/right partisan two cents in a reasoned, civil fashion. Perhaps this is why my worldview does not reflect the blinded-by-patriotism attitude so common these days. (Obviously, I need to watch more Fox News.)

I hope Elizabeth reads my post, so she realizes were not just arguing here, we're trying to make the world safe for her children.

 

[sweetness6280]

That didn't take long

It lastes about a page longer than I expected.

 

[oggbashan]

I think that the political threads are breeding because people believe that the next Presidential election can really make a difference in the way the US government works. The US appears to be composed of two near majorities that hate each other.

Some are very scared about what might happen if the party they don't support wins.

In the UK we haven't seen such passion since the days of Margaret Thatcher. We reserve our fiery debates for more important things such as football teams. Even then we tend to be more polite with each other than in the AH's political threads (except when in large crowds drunk on cheap lager!).

The Presidential election is important not just for the US but for the world. From my perspective I would prefer "none of the above" because I can't see a world class leader in any of the candidates for either party.

Og