Poll: 6 in 10 Americans too scared to share political views

[Dill]

(11-01-2017, 12:39 PM)StLucieBengal Wrote: Dear lord man.   You should switch to decafe  

The science isn’t in ..... medical opinions on this matter aren’t as clear cut as you make it out.    Many have come out that this decision was politicized and not based on medical fact.

It's like climate change.  Everyone gives a pass to the 97% of climate scientists and national science academies who politicize climate research and ignore oil company scientists who just state facts.  Scientists just are not 100% behind the anthropogenic thesis and that is a fact though some might like to pretend otherwise.

Same thing in medical science. The near majority of competent practitioners and specialists resting their conclusions upon years of research constantly look down on the fraction of "family values" practitioners who run anti-gay camps and workshops to cure homosexuals. So long as there are some experts out there who understand what a SIN homosexuality is then we should recognize the diversity of medical opinion and stop politicizing the fact that gays are sick.  Expressing one's hatred of sin should not be regarded as hate speech.

[Dill]

(11-01-2017, 11:57 AM)Nately120 Wrote: In my mind discussing politics/religion is less about finding people who agree with your stance on the issues and more about finding someone who agrees on the manner by which discussion is approached/accepted.  A lot of people can proudly state their views on something and then become very offended or defensive when you ask why they believe what they believe.  It's quite interesting.

I would jokingly relate it to me saying "Oh, I'm a huge Beatles fan and I love them and they're the best" and then getting shocked or offended if someone asked me which of their albums is my favorite, or why I even like them.   Personally, I like it when people ask me why I believe what I believe because it gives me a chance to elaborate on my views, as well as practice and refine them.  Sometimes you have to hear yourself say something out loud before it really clicks, anyways.

But anyways, it's quite astounding that we can base our entire lives around something we love to divulge but hate to discuss.

That's a good point. Some people do not know how to carry political discussions across party lines.

E.g., once name-calling is assumed "normal" and acceptable behavior then, given the absence of initial common ground, any discussion quickly degrades. If the other side won't reciprocate, then it just stops.

Other problems arise from differing levels of competence managing arguments. Some know how to explore arguments, examining premises and recognizing implicit assumptions and unstated logical entailment and the like.  When both sides know how to follow this process there is little problem.  But when one doesn't discussion breaks down quickly. Authoritarians can only state and restate claims. They go by impression and instinct, and if you don't accept their claims at face value then you are attacking them and, by their logic, they must counter attack ("hit back 10 times harder" as our authoritarian-in-chief puts it).  So after the statement/restatement of positions there follows a downward spiral of personal abuse unrelated to premises, claims and inferences. Or, as I said above, if the other side chooses not to take the low road, discussion stops.

Still other conflicts arise on what counts as evidence or authoritative sources.  Calm and focused discussants can wend their way through such difficulties. Authoritarians cannot. They have  told you what they think and shown you their links and don't have time for questions or counter-evidence. Offering such just shows you cannot be reasoned with--though if you are one of those people who explores arguments that is exactly what you thought you were doing: reasoning.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(11-01-2017, 01:21 PM)Dill Wrote: I'm with you on that one, Lucy.

Yeah, telling people to get a life is the preferred PC insult around here.

(10-19-2017, 08:24 PM)StLucieBengal Wrote: You need a life mate.

But, he meant, "You need a life, mate." Not, "You need a life mate."

We all know how teachers never stress grammar or punctuation.

[StLucieBengal]

(11-01-2017, 12:51 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: In case any Republican strategists are hiding out here, this is why I am no longer a registered Republican.

Good to know.

[StLucieBengal]

(11-01-2017, 01:21 PM)Dill Wrote: I'm with you on that one, Lucy.

Always nice to find common ground

[Benton]

(11-01-2017, 12:09 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I think/know there are those on this board that avoid this forum because they prefer not to be called names for sharing their political opinion.

There are likewise those that avoid the forum because they don’t like to be called names/have their loved ones insulted.

Which is why admins have repeatedly asked folks to tone things down, show a little respected towards each other.

[*Nately120*]

(11-01-2017, 12:34 PM)StLucieBengal Wrote: It’s unfortunate and just wrong that anyone should be called names over a message board post.

It's unfortunate and just wrong that adults should get upset by being called names.  Maybe we really have just become a society of giant wimps.

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 09:41 PM)Nately120 Wrote: It's unfortunate and just wrong that adults should get upset by being called names.  Maybe we really have just become a society of giant wimps.

...or a society that is more comfortable in insulting each other because it does not have to be done in person.

I really cannot think of a time that adults were not upset about being called names. I do remember a time of greater civility. 

I agree we have become a giant society of wimps, but it most likely describes the person that is emboldened enough to call someone a name behind the safety of their keyboard.  I doubt many that have called me bigot, homophone, racist, ect... in this forum would do the same if we were to have a face to face discussion and it is not because I consider myself intimidating; it's just that courage would be harder to muster 

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 07:32 PM)Benton Wrote: There are likewise those that avoid the forum because they don’t like to be called names/have their loved ones insulted.

Which is why admins have repeatedly asked folks to tone things down, show a little respected towards each other.

meh, it kind of rings hollow when only one side constantly gets suspended. 

[GMDino]

(11-01-2017, 09:55 PM)bfine32 Wrote: ...or a society that is more comfortable in insulting each other because it does not have to be done in person.

I really cannot think of a time that adults were not upset about being called names. I do remember a time of greater civility. 

I agree we have become a giant society of wimps, but it most likely describes the person that is emboldened enough to call someone a name behind the safety of their keyboard.  I doubt many that have called me bigot, homophone, racist, ect... in this forum would do the same if we were to have a face to face discussion and it is not because I consider myself intimidating; it's just that courage would be harder to muster 

Depends on what you said to warrant it.  And not because I'm a tough guy but because I'd call a spade a spade.

[StLucieBengal]

(11-01-2017, 10:14 PM)GMDino Wrote: Depends on what you said to warrant it.  And not because I'm a tough guy but because I'd call a spade a spade.

No it wouldn’t. Bfine is exactly correct. Tone would change pretty quickly

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 10:14 PM)GMDino Wrote: Depends on what you said to warrant it.  And not because I'm a tough guy but because I'd call a spade a spade.

Let's say I agree that you would call me a racist, homophobe, bigot, ect...to my face. Would you be as quick to "call a spade a spade"? Would you be a quick to display the silly face that you do in this forum or would you suggest the anonymity provided in this forum allows you to be a little more liberal in your spade calling?

[*Nately120*]

(11-01-2017, 09:55 PM)bfine32 Wrote: ...or a society that is more comfortable in insulting each other because it does not have to be done in person.

I really cannot think of a time that adults were not upset about being called names. I do remember a time of greater civility. 

I agree we have become a giant society of wimps, but it most likely describes the person that is emboldened enough to call someone a name behind the safety of their keyboard.  I doubt many that have called me bigot, homophone, racist, ect... in this forum would do the same if we were to have a face to face discussion and it is not because I consider myself intimidating; it's just that courage would be harder to muster 

Does it take courage to insult someone?  I never considered the people who insulted me during my 30+ years on this earth to be particularly courageous.  Back in the low-tech days people didn't insult people from the safety of the internet so much as they insulted people from behind the safety of their gang/comrades/toadies, etc. Doesn't our president insult people from behind a shield of incalculable wealth?

I realize that I'm different from most because I just shrug when people insulted me and it never really got to me.  Hell, I've had people insult me and then get mad when I didn't get upset.  Who cares?  I guess most people care.  I honestly can't think of a single thing someone could say to me, especially a stranger, that could actually upset me.  In all honesty, I may have some form of Aspergers or something, though.

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 10:39 PM)Nately120 Wrote: Does it take courage to insult someone?  

Not from a distance, but behind social media it is must easier. Sure adults have the maturity to shrug off comments, but often times children do not. So when they see adults doing it to each other on social media they think it is the right thing to do. Perhaps you should concern yourself a little more about insults. Just because you have the special ability of shrugging them off doesn't mean everyone possesses your special power.  

[GMDino]

(11-01-2017, 10:29 PM)StLucieBengal Wrote: No it wouldn’t.   Bfine is exactly correct.   Tone would change pretty quickly

No, in a conversation I wouldn't have a problem telling someone they said something racist or homophobic.  Not sure why that's so hard to believe.

I'm basing this on we sat down to have a conversation...not I overhears someone that I wasn't talking with.

(11-01-2017, 10:35 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Let's say I agree that you would call me a racist, homophobe, bigot, ect...to my face. Would you be as quick to "call a spade a spade"? Would you be a quick to display the silly face that you do in this forum or would you suggest the anonymity provided in this forum allows you to be a little more liberal in your spade calling?

I might smirk...I might not.  It might take a second or two to find a gif on my phone to show you.

But, again, why wouldn't I tell someone I was having a conversation with that they said something racist?  Heck they might he might even tell me they didn't and we'd talk about it.  Voices might even get raised! <shudder>  As I said, I'd never want to come to blows over it, I'm no fighter.  But I'm not afraid to speak my mind...even in person.

Oddly this has turned (quickly) into someone sounding like they would be intimidating so no one would call a spade a spade.  

[GMDino]

(11-01-2017, 10:44 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Not from a distance, but behind social media it is must easier. Sure adults have the maturity to shrug off comments, but often times children do not. So when they see adults doing it to each other on social media they think it is the right thing to do. Perhaps you should concern yourself a little more about insults. Just because you have the special ability of shrugging them off doesn't mean everyone possesses your special power.  

I thought kids needed to kid called names and bullied to make them better adults? 

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 10:47 PM)GMDino Wrote: I thought kids needed to kid called names and bullied to make them better adults? 

You couldn't be more wrong. 

[Vas Deferens]

Is this is why some carry a gun around their gated community when peacocking about while family members walk the streets.

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 10:45 PM)GMDino Wrote: No, in a conversation I wouldn't have a problem telling someone they said something racist or homophobic.  Not sure why that's so hard to believe.

I'm basing this on we sat down to have a conversation...not I overhears someone that I wasn't talking with.


I might smirk...I might not.  It might take a second or two to find a gif on my phone to show you.

But, again, why wouldn't I tell someone I was having a conversation with that they said something racist?  Heck they might he might even tell me they didn't and we'd talk about it.  Voices might even get raised! <shudder>  As I said, I'd never want to come to blows over it, I'm no fighter.  But I'm not afraid to speak my mind...even in person.

Oddly this has turned (quickly) into someone sounding like they would be intimidating so no one would call a spade a spade.  

I didn't ask you would you tell someone they said something racist or homophobic; I asked you would you be quick to call someone a racist or homophobe.

I take you at your word that you would be just as quick to do so as you do in this forum. 

[*bfine32*]

(11-01-2017, 10:55 PM)Vas Deferens Wrote: Is this is why some carry a gun around their gated community when peacocking about while family members walk the streets.

Did that make sense in your head before you actually typed it out?