The Backroom

[InsaneApache]

Has anyone ever changed their opinion or concepts because of reading posts in here? I can say that it has, in fact, expanded my horizons from posts made by other cultures and peoples.

So how was it for you?

[Franconicus]

Yes! I see know much clearer what the supporters of the Iraq war think and understand their argues much better. Upto now it has not changed my mind. But after some discussions I made up my mind or understand it at least.

[Ser Clegane]

It certainly expanded my horizon - on some issues I have a less clear opinion now (thanks guys for turning my straight forward world into a mess )

One issue on which I actually changed my opinion is the A-bombs on Japan (I used to completely reject the thought of this having been necessary, but through the discussions here I came to accept at least the first bomb as a necessary evil).

[Kaiser of Arabia]

what clegane said, minus the abomb

[Ja'chyra]

It hasn't really changed any of my views though it has educated me to some extent.

It has also affected how I see some of the other posters, take that as you will

[Fragony]

I am hopeless, but it is good to read other people's opinions.

[Don Corleone]

I was a strong supporter of capital punishment until you Leftist weenies got your hooks into me, now I oppose it.

All kidding aside, whether it changes my position or not, disucssin issues in here definitely changes my viewpoint, as it forces me to come to grips with my position in light of different views. Opinions formed in a vacuum tend not to be all that robust and well thought out. I think of this place as a crucible where ideas are refined and hopefully, improved.

[Beirut]

It hasn't changed my position on anything really, but has certainly made my debating skills better. IMHO anyway.

If I can go toe to toe with Gawain for hundreds of posts on the Middle East and survive, I could deal with anybody.

[t1master]

i enjoy reading the bickering and little personal jabs back and forth. it's mostly harmless, and the sort of kidding you'd engage in with your siblings, but it's fun nonetheless.

hasn't really changed any of my opinions, but it is good to see what political bents some of my total war friends hold. i mean i know what ichi, gawain and kaf are gonna do in vi, but it's always a hoot to read their posts here

[Red Harvest]

Probably more a shift in my views rather than reversals. There are all sorts of bits of information posted that lead me to go back and study facets and history. On the other hand, quite a few discussions pro and con have the exact opposite effect, reinforcing my opinion after it has suffered trial by fire and I've been forced to research more.

[PanzerJaeger]

Ive learned a lot of the historical background behind my political beliefs, especially in regards to Israel.

However I have no liberal views, and I didnt when I came here, so I guess it hasnt changed me too much.

[Steppe Merc]

Yeah. My views on abortion has been refined and is a lot less "liberal" (for want of a better word) than it used to be. I think I've had to think more about my opinons in order to deffend them.
And I've also learned more about different people's viewpoints, and just because I don't agree with them often, it doesn't make them evil, or mean that I won't strongly agree with them in a different argument.

[Kääpäkorven Konsuli]

ever changed my opinion or concepts? Bunch of weak souther peoples who get cold in -5c and who doesn't even know word "work" can't change my mind anyway.
expand my horizons? Why?

[Kagemusha]

ever changed my opinion or concepts? Bunch of weak souther peoples who get cold in -5c and who doesn't even know word "work" can't change my mind anyway.
expand my horizons? Why?

Watch out for Beirut.
He is a Canadian lumberjack.

[Kääpäkorven Konsuli]

Watch out for Beirut.
He is a Canadian lumberjack.

Ha! Man who is still under tea drinkers empire doesn't scare me a bit!

[Don Corleone]

Speaking as somebody who has spent some time in Turku & Oulu, as well as Espoo/Helsinki, if the Finns ever outlawed vodka, they'd rule the world.

[Kagemusha]

Ha! Man who is still under tea drinkers empire doesn't scare me a bit!

Aika hyvä.=Pretty good one.

[Kagemusha]

Speaking as somebody who has spent some time in Turku & Oulu, as well as Espoo/Helsinki, if the Finns ever outlawed vodka, they'd rule the world.

So Don you have been in our glorious republic.How did you like it in here?Or did you also take too much vodka and dont remember anything?

[Don Corleone]

All I've got to say is it is simply amazing what gets done with what must be skull-busting hangovers. Take that artificial constraint off, and there'd be no stopping you.

All kidding aside, Finland is one of my favorite places in the world, especially Oulu. Turku is okay, but a little gray. Espoo & Helsinki are like any metropolitan city.... too crowded.

But Oulu.... if I ever strike it rich, I'm going to buy a summer house on a nearby lake up there. I absolutely love that place. I was there May 2003, and I didn't want to leave. Mmm, I'm getting hungry for reindeer just thinking about it...

[Kagemusha]

I recommend that next time you visit.Go see the Eastern Finland too.Maybe the city of Savonlinna.Its wery nice little city on the coast of Finlands biggest lake called Saimaa.There is also fully preserved Medieval castle called Olavinlinna in there.

[Kääpäkorven Konsuli]

Aika hyvä.=Pretty good one.

Kiitos, tykkäsin itekki.=Thanks, I liked it too (or what ever, too complicated for me)

[Goofball]

I was previously in favor of a "nobody should be allowed to own guns of any kind other than police and military" gun control policy. Discussions in the Backroom have since convinced me that it is reasonable to allow private citizens to own hunting rifles and shotguns.

I also have a much better understanding of American politics and point of view than I had before.

But the biggest impact the Backroom has had on me has been to drive my social views far to the left of where they were when I first ventured into the Tavern, mainly because I have had a chance to hear right-wing arguments that I used to use coming out of others' mouths, and have now realized how ridiculous many of them sound.

And that last was not meant as a slight or an insult; it's honestly how I feel.

[Byzantine Prince]

My views haven't changed in the backroom, not by other members at least. Reading my thoughts is very insightful though, because I can edit my viewpoints in the most intelligent ways. Others just excite my brain, that's all.

It also helped my typing skills, I'm like 100 times faster then I ever was.

Finnish people sure are patriotic around here.

[Don Corleone]

I recommend that next time you visit.Go see the Eastern Finland too.Maybe the city of Savonlinna.Its wery nice little city on the coast of Finlands biggest lake called Saimaa.There is also fully preserved Medieval castle called Olavinlinna in there.

Kitos (sp?). I sure will, if I ever get the chance. I don't get to do very much sightseeing when I'm there, as generally, I go to help Nokia on a project they're using our parts for, which is why I spend time in Oulu & Turku.

Oulu (but really, Finland in general), Shanghai & Madrid are my 3 favorite places I've visited, in that order. Singapore would be up there, if not for the humidity, which was killing me.

[Kääpäkorven Konsuli]

But Oulu.... if I ever strike it rich, I'm going to buy a summer house on a nearby lake up there. I absolutely love that place. I was there May 2003, and I didn't want to leave. Mmm, I'm getting hungry for reindeer just thinking about it...

And after Eastern Finland you should go (come) to Lapland. It is almost different nation compared to the Souther Finland. And lots of reindeers here...

[Don Corleone]

Are you up in Ivalo? I have ALWAYS wanted to go there... I heard you guys party like mad when the sun disappears, for weeks on end. Must be a bitch when work finally comes around again though.

[Kagemusha]

Kitos (sp?). I sure will, if I ever get the chance. I don't get to do very much sightseeing when I'm there, as generally, I go to help Nokia on a project they're using our parts for, which is why I spend time in Oulu & Turku.

Oulu (but really, Finland in general), Shanghai & Madrid are my 3 favorite places I've visited, in that order. Singapore would be up there, if not for the humidity, which was killing me.

Tervetuloa Suomeen uudestaan.=Wellcome to Finland again.

[Don Corleone]

Dude, it's going to be a while before I get around to learning too much Finnish. I'm trying to learn Mandarin at the moment. The only Finnish I know is kitos (keetos?), huyva pyva, huyva huomenta and if i hear them, how to say cheers & 'excuse me'/'sorry'.

[Kagemusha]

I understand.one good hint for Finnish language is that we pronounce words the same as we write them so thanks is sayed kiitos and writed also kiitos.Thats why to me its so hard to write proper english.

[Don Corleone]

Aaah, so it's huuva piiva? I started a different thread, btw, so we don't disrupt all these ignoramuses who don't know what a good thing they're missing...