Can't We All Just Get Along?

I've noticed that alot of these Off-Topic threads are again turning into unnecessary personal attacks. Richard set up a separate place to act childish if we want & I think we should keep these attacks to that area. I think you all know that I generaly like political debate & admit to getting caught up in the emotion some times..........but now, even I am hesitant to post on these topics which seem to be just turning into 5th grade food fights. Come on guys, we are all good coal burners, here to help eachother out with coal heating questions/problems & suggestions. In the words of that great statesman....Rodney King......"Cant we all just get along?"

ok, but... lose your COP attitude.

acesover wrote:ok, but... lose your COP attitude.

?????

Devil5052 wrote:I've noticed that alot of these Off-Topic threads are again turning into unnecessary personal attacks. Richard set up a separate place to act childish if we want & I think we should keep these attacks to that area. I think you all know that I generaly like political debate & admit to getting caught up in the emotion some times..........but now, even I am hesitant to post on these topics which seem to be just turning into 5th grade food fights. Come on guys, we are all good coal burners, here to help eachother out with coal heating questions/problems & suggestions. In the words of that great statesman....Rodney King......"Cant we all just get along?"

I've been avoiding this area but who can resist a Rodney King quote? I think if any or most of us were to meet in person we would get along or at least be civil. If you spend time listening to CB radio you hear fights and arguments all the time about nothing and they almost never turn into a fist fight in a parking lot somewhere. Maybe the anonymity of it makes folks turn ugly quicker.

The topics that are the most heated down here, if you think about it, are usually centered around politics. Most people who post have their mind made up and will not be swayed by someone posting on a web site. Most of us get our political views from family, friends, situations in life and personal experiences. I doubt that anyone reading any of these political posts will say "Wow! that Devil has a point and I'm gonna go join the democrats so I can be just like him" or "Boy what an A-hole, I'm gonna be a Republican so no one associates me with Devil5052!" My point is only the choirs are reading this stuff. If you want to rant on about politics and problems in the world your own blog would be good.

My opinions, nothing personal and I surely don't take anything personal that I read on here either.

gaw wrote:My opinions, nothing personal and I surely don't take anything personal that I read on here either.

Exactly. What makes it interesting is precisely that we don't all agree; those are the most boring discussions of all. And, for those who have both the appetite for it and the discipline not to take it over the line, each side has an opportunity to test their beliefs out in a civil debate.

And that debate can be vigorous without ever being personal.

Those who can't do that are probably better served by either lurking or staying clear.

At all times, when participating in a forum, you have to keep in mind, "the spare parts theorem". The "spare parts theorem" being, "There are a lot more horses asses, than there are horses".

gaw wrote:The topics that are the most heated down here, if you think about it, are usually centered around politics. Most people who post have their mind made up and will not be swayed by someone posting on a web site. Most of us get our political views from family, friends, situations in life and personal experiences. I doubt that anyone reading any of these political posts will say "Wow! that Devil has a point and I'm gonna go join the democrats so I can be just like him" or "Boy what an A-hole, I'm gonna be a Republican so no one associates me with Devil5052!" My point is only the choirs are reading this stuff. If you want to rant on about politics and problems in the world your own blog would be good.

My opinions, nothing personal and I surely don't take anything personal that I read on here either.

If I understand your post, you are saying that having political discussions is useless & that noone's mind will ever be changed. I disagree. While most of us here are fairly pig headed, myself probably more than most , I don't think that most of us are incapable of being swayed, to some degree, by a good, logical argument. At least I hope this is true. Granted, the chances of me suddenly registering as a Republican & writing in Dick Cheney's name for President are pretty slim.....but......I have learned quite a few things here & find it beneficial to just lay our cards on the table.
Example:
I tend to get very angry at this administration & could never really understand the depth of the anger many felt towards my posts when railing against Bush/Cheney. The other day, Greg gave me the answer:.... He feels that when I attack GW Bush that I am attacking the United States itself. I hope I was successful in convincing him that I meant no such things about our country. That I love this country but do dislike GW Bush, & I don't see where these two views are mutually exclusive! Greg feels that the President is the US for 4 years at a time. I feel the President is merely our "employee" fo 4 years at a time & that some are good, some are bad ,but that this one is the worst employee we have ever hired & needs to be fired.
I just don't agree that these debates cannot be beneficial but do agree that they get useless when turned into juvenile, personal attack platforms. (which was the point of my last few threads)
Lets face it....None of us here have all the answers or have much control over what direction this country takes, our real expertise is on coal heating & we are a "World Class" site for that!.......But......We are all (hopefully) voters with the tremendous responsibility to stay informed & make informed choices at the polling station.
I take my civic duty very seriously & recomend that if you aren't interested enough to keep yourself informed (whatever your views) that you really have no right to contaminate the ballot box with your ill-informed guesses. On election day, do us all a favor &.....Stay Home!

Dallas wrote:At all times, when participating in a forum, you have to keep in mind, "the spare parts theorem". The "spare parts theorem" being, "There are a lot more horses asses, than there are horses".

I like the "Car Sales Theorem" which says "There's an ass for every seat!"