Well there is your problem. You need to stop posting at work, or wear the tin foil hat. :idea2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
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Well there is your problem. You need to stop posting at work, or wear the tin foil hat. :idea2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
Thanks Redleg. I took your suggestion and stopped posting at work. Life is great. My coworkers still give me weird looks due to the hat though.:laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Redleg
I've got mixed feelings about your new neutrality. Although I'm not a big poster I do read read most of the backroom articles and allthough I consider myself a moderate I appreciate the points that some of the more determined viewpoints bring up.
Debating on the internet is pointless if you're honestly trying to win but as just a medium to present information and a viewpoint I consider it better than ordinary debates. Here there is time to react to a point, research it and consider it and then post a reply which so long as people don't remain too thick headed about a "single" point tends to bring about a lot more of an educated and less emotionally fueled debate like the ones we see with all our cable TV political commentators.
Instead of actively debating will you still be presenting information that's useful to the topic at hand?
Are you sure this new neutrality doesn't have anything to do with the sliding fortunes of political faction you have long since aligned yourself with? That you are disillusioned with your previously hard line stance on Iraq, that you want to distance yourself with policies which are now largely discredited?
I'm new to the Backroom, and I must say that the standard of debate and knowledge here is higher than I have found anywhere else (unless you count scientific usenet groups). Sure people get very heated, but the moderators do a heck of a job making sure it is sorted out. :2thumbsup:
Passion and contrasting viewpoints are essential in a good argument. Sometimes people's perceptions are changed. Most of the time it's the same old, same old, I grant you, but still fun. The Backroom appears as a classic chamber of representatives - the House of Commons, the Dail, Congress - lots of fixed positions, extraordinary characters and yah-boo, with occasional clarity. I like it for the same reason I am interested in politics.
Oh, and DD, I'll believe your true conversion when your signature changes ~;p
good view... trouble is that the way views of issues have congealed don't actually make a lot of sense. the traditional right/left, lib/conservative views are nothing more than a convenient fiction. but it is exhausting to view everything from one's own angle, so we tend to class ourselves in the group that most broadly agrees with us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
I agree thoroughly. it's why i have been so backwards in not posting here, despite the fact that i feel i have something to add (I feel like i know most of you, though you may not know anything of me) once the battle lines are drawn and it's once more an us vs them thing, i lose all interest.Quote:
I could go on with several more examples of the many exchanges that go on and on and on in our beloved Tavern. I am not saying that there should not be a debate, I just feel whats the point in debating when neither side budges and all it does is inflame tensions between most people that would probably be great friends outside of this world we have created to be heard?
It's the difference between 'Debate' and 'debate'. In a Debate, you get points for scoring points off the opposition, or labelling them godless idiots or knee jerk reactionaries. I prefer to ask questions and find common ground, rather than empahsise differences. after all, as you so rightly point out, the vast majority of the things we discuss make no difference to our lives. Who knows, even the duellers on this forum could live comfortably side by side.
as i say, if you ask honest questions and listen to the answers, all parties concerned may come to a better understanding of each other.Quote:
The more I think about all these things that I've over the years have railed against or die-heartedly supported till the fingers bleed when all the while my words and actions only hurt the ideals and arguments that i was detailing to those with apposing views. Yes, the hypocrisy and irony of this post is beyond the realm of ridiculous from the prospective of those that have known me over the years, but just take a moment to think about it.
I dunno. probably to you i would be an atheist, liberal scumbag, but that doesn't mean we can't discuss for the sake of wisdom rather than to say 'i beat him'.
Look at the date the original post of the thread was posted. It was a self reflective posting and in the course of time I broke my own policy and shown my own hypocricy. I just felt like thanking Redleg for his suggestions. History will be the judge on the policies and if they were successful. Things take time but unfortunately in the microwave/tv dinner society we live in we expect things to happen in a matter of seconds/hours/days/months and never consider the size and scope of things and the fact that they will take longer than most have the will for. Unfortunately there are more impatient, weak-willed men of less convictions these days that those during the times of WW2 and other conflicts that good intentioned men fought and died for the betterment of our world. Say what you will now, but history will be the judge, not a war gamer on a posting board.Quote:
Originally Posted by Idaho
You want me to actually read the posts before commenting? :idea2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
So this board is for wargamers eh? I did wonder... :dizzy2:Quote:
Say what you will now, but history will be the judge, not a war gamer on a posting board.
That's what I'm here for, to point out the obvious, kinda like if you look at a map. You have Iraq to the left, Afganastan to the right, along with Turkey, the UAE, all SURROUNDING Iran. In each one of these countries you have forces opposed to Iran building up and slowly but surely tightening a noose since obviously, once again, the UN and Euros are too balless to do something about the nuke situation with Iran. Now it might be one thing to call George Bush and the current members of the administration idiots or the people who support actually doing something about rogue nations and terrorists instead of cramming our collective heads up our butts waiting for the radical muslims to play nice, disillusional, but its ironic that you seem to not have the mental ability to read a damn map!!! :laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Idaho
How's that. I feel cleansed, thanks that felt better than a latte enima.:sweatdrop:
Yes indeed - one must limit their postings while at work. You become distracted and then one might find themselves missing a finger or two from getting in the way of the cutting blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
:oops:
Uh, yes, it might put things in a better perspective before you make an ass of yourself.:bow:Quote:
Originally Posted by Idaho
Well if it's all the same to you - I'll stick with my way :skull:Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
You mean posting in complete ignorance of the topic and direction of a particular thread even if it makes you look like an ass? Hey, I won't stop you, enjoy yourself. :2thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Idaho