An open letter to the political posters

[Fuzzness 2]

why are people so damn scared of opposing views? I have a friend in the states who is a libertarian. i'm a democratic-socialist (kinda). we have completely opposing views, however we enjoy having a conversation because we appreciate each other's views and RESPECT THEM.

[kaydee457 13]

An open letter to all who discuss politics on this forum.

As anyone that follows the political threads here know that I am an unapologetic conservative. Whenever I express my views I am assaulted by a barrage of liberal platitudes. It seems that I am totally outnumbered. This makes me worry about the future of our country. With the “We are at fault and we should give up” attitude I see here we will eventually go the way of Europe. Most of the European countries have gone to socialism and I fear that we are heading that way also. This is not the America I know and love. But it seems that I am in the minority now at least on this forum. When it comes to vital issues like the war in Iraq, the war on terrorism, illegal immigration, taxes and the degrading of our moral values I am not one to compromise. In my view right is right and wrong is wrong. However, since it seems that a lot of the others that also frequent the political threads here have opposite views and I feel like I am just banging my head on a wall and pissing off others with my “ignorance”. So, I will no longer be posting or responding to any thread that has to do with politics. The liberals here can have it. I only hope that some posters here will start thinking with their brains instead of their feelings. Liberalism is the easy way out because it only requires you to feel and not think.

I know that there will be a flame war over this post and I will not be looked upon favorably because of it but I will not compromise my values. So therefore I will restrict myself to only the non-political postings from now on. This is a great forum for immigration issues and that is all it will be for me from now on.

Peace to everyone that I have sparred with, you are entitled to your viewpoints. That is also something that is American. Even though I totally disagree with you I would fight to the death for your right to state your views. I hope that we can eventually come together in this country and work towards restoring it to the values that our founding fathers envisioned.

Bye and good luck to you all.

I'm with you Gary. But you know what they say about arguing with idiots..........

No, what do they say? I've been doing it so long I've forgotten!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

why are people so damn scared of opposing views? I have a friend in the states who is a libertarian. i'm a democratic-socialist (kinda). we have completely opposing views, however we enjoy having a conversation because we appreciate each other's views and RESPECT THEM.

I have a friend who won't stop inserting "I am a Democrat" into every conversation we have. He's so damn partisan that I can't have any kind of political conversation with him without him getting all agitated and hysterical. And funny thing is, the harder I try to stay apolitical with him, the harder he tries to steer every conversation towards politics.

[chri'stina 190]

Gary I have gotten into big debates on VJ about political things as well, sometimes being very frustrated at the way the debates go. I had felt many times by a few members a lack of respect for my opinions because I did not go along with the majority of people in the debate, and rude comments were made about me as if I was a dumb idiot. (the main person who would say rude insults just because I didn't agree with their poliitcal view does not post here anymore).

Anyway, just take time away from the political threads on here if you'd like some peace. I kind of gave up debating in them anymore, as most people know my stance (conservative) by now, and I'm tired of always being the "wrong one". I do respect other ppl's views and wish for them to respect mine, which a lot of people have respected mine. There are just the occasional few who are just rude if you don't agree with them. But that can make anyone really mad, as I know...

Edited May 11, 2006 by stina&suj

[GaryC 7]

Thanks to everyone for their comments and support. I guess the stress of the visa journey is getting to me. I just need a break. I could probably argue for a 50 page thread on something less important to me like, what is better Ford or Chevy? I could even go for a thread on who should be the next president. But my feelings about this nations security and future are SO important to me that I have found I have become intolerant of liberal views. I have found that it's like arguing with someone that 2 + 2 = 4 when they say it is 5. In my mind it is so simple and obvious that I just can't comprehend a rational human thinking anything else. When I realized that I knew it was time to give it a rest. I realize that other people have equally held views and I cannot stand my own intolerance. But at the same time I am totally unwilling to give up what I know in my mind is right. So the only alternative is to bow out.

So thank you all but, for my own sanity's sake I will leave the debate about the war, terrorism and national security to others. Please understand that I respect you all and your opinions and for that reason I will just hold my peace.

[Welshcookie 17]

hmm

IMO, only by listening and learning from each other do we grow - and not joining a debate because you are in a minority doesn't seem to be 'in the spirit of coming together to change things'...

How can one fight against what you see as wrong if you refuse to engage? That seems a rather defeatist attitude to me.

When I was much younger I was TOTALLY opposed to the death penalty - but now I am a parent I am not - I still don't think its right in ALL cases but some, yeah - I will say fry em.

My views on many things have changed over the years - from being alive in this world, from visiting many MANY different cultures and counties, from listening to others, from the fact my own life has changed.

I still don't 'like' war but I now see it as a necessary evil - in fact my other half was once in the army, a fact he is proud of and with good reason - I see many things from both sides now whereas before I did not.

I have never shirked from giving my own opinion on things but sometimes that opinion has been changed by hearing the other side of the argument. To not give the other side as you feel it is 'banging your head against a wall' is deny people the chance to see how you have come to your ideas - perhaps they will agree perhaps not but that is what being free means - the ability to disagree.

I hope you change your mind about going, but nevertheless I wish you well

My SO and myself have political views that are poles apart, our first year together was tempestuous to say the least. He is a staunch conservative (although I am pleased he doesn't have the whole religion thing going on with it), I myself lean to socialist views....liberal, he says... he has particulary found our 'differences' difficult mainly because he has never lived with a woman who has had political voice let alone one that goes against his

But....over the years, by arguments, discussions, experiences we have both changed some of our views. Death penalty, war, health care, welfare, penal system, terrorism.....have all been debated to death in our household, it really wouldn't have mattered if neither of us could change any of our views but the important thing is we learned to listen and accept differing view points

I use the quote under my username as a reminder....it has become burned into my brain thro our relationship.....and it is good for me to look at it while here on VJ too.....

Oh... I don't partake in politcal debates on VJ (although I often enjoy reading them) because I like to come here and have fun mostly

edit due to smiley overload....

Edited May 11, 2006 by welshcookie

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Rch!!! You've been especially PMS ey lately!!!!

I ran out of male-midol.

[faith 0]

My hubby has definitely different political views as I do. He comes from Denmark, a socialistic government, and I'm a Republican (and not afraid to admit it). There are lots of time sthat I feel "outnumbered" in debates, but I'm not about to walk away if I feel that I am right. There are plenty of times I get disgusted by what I read (especially when everyone wants to blame everything on Bush) but I'll still fight for my view to be seen.

My point is that I love VJ and that even tho we all don't agree all the time I don't think most of us ever mean any harm by what we say to each other in a heated debate.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... especially when everyone wants to blame everything on Bush...

Frankly, the hysterical idiocy some people on the left display with respect to Bush reminds me of how some of the zealots of the so-called VRWC used to act with respect to Clinton during his presidency.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

... especially when everyone wants to blame everything on Bush...

Frankly, the hysterical idiocy some people on the left display with respect to Bush reminds me of how some of the zealots of the so-called VRWC used to act with respect to Clinton during his presidency.

I blame Peta and Greenpeace. Maybe if they had more animal protein in there diet they wouldn't be so radical (like Hitler).

[faith 0]

... especially when everyone wants to blame everything on Bush...

Frankly, the hysterical idiocy some people on the left display with respect to Bush reminds me of how some of the zealots of the so-called VRWC used to act with respect to Clinton during his presidency.

See, that's what bugs me. It's like everyone (on both sides if you want to go back to the Clinton admin as well) forgets that the president of the U.S. is not the end all be all of power. There is a Congress, there are other departments, there's even big business (when Bush gets blamed on high gas prices is where I'm going with that). I guess the extreme on BOTH sides need a scapegoat and the President gets to be it.

... especially when everyone wants to blame everything on Bush...

Frankly, the hysterical idiocy some people on the left display with respect to Bush reminds me of how some of the zealots of the so-called VRWC used to act with respect to Clinton during his presidency.

I blame Peta and Greenpeace. Maybe if they had more animal protein in there diet they wouldn't be so radical (like Hitler).

yeah well don't get me started on Greenpeace. When my ex was in the Marines and we lived on base we used to have to fight to get thru the Greenpeace protestors just to get to our house on base. Those people can be mean!!!!!

[Welshcookie 17]

yeah well don't get me started on Greenpeace. When my ex was in the Marines and we lived on base we used to have to fight to get thru the Greenpeace protestors just to get to our house on base. Those people can be mean!!!!!

oh boy....that reminds me of the naked war protesters at my blokes air base.....flabby white Brits

[faith 0]

yeah well don't get me started on Greenpeace. When my ex was in the Marines and we lived on base we used to have to fight to get thru the Greenpeace protestors just to get to our house on base. Those people can be mean!!!!!

oh boy....that reminds me of the naked war protesters at my blokes air base.....flabby white Brits

they protested NAKED?????

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

why are people so damn scared of opposing views? I have a friend in the states who is a libertarian. i'm a democratic-socialist (kinda). we have completely opposing views, however we enjoy having a conversation because we appreciate each other's views and RESPECT THEM.

I love to hear an opposing view. What I hate is when people interpret an opposing view as offensive.

[almaty 19]

An open letter to all who discuss politics on this forum.

As anyone that follows the political threads here know that I am an unapologetic conservative. Whenever I express my views I am assaulted by a barrage of liberal platitudes. It seems that I am totally outnumbered. This makes me worry about the future of our country. With the “We are at fault and we should give up” attitude I see here we will eventually go the way of Europe. Most of the European countries have gone to socialism and I fear that we are heading that way also. This is not the America I know and love. But it seems that I am in the minority now at least on this forum. When it comes to vital issues like the war in Iraq, the war on terrorism, illegal immigration, taxes and the degrading of our moral values I am not one to compromise. In my view right is right and wrong is wrong. However, since it seems that a lot of the others that also frequent the political threads here have opposite views and I feel like I am just banging my head on a wall and pissing off others with my “ignorance”. So, I will no longer be posting or responding to any thread that has to do with politics. The liberals here can have it. I only hope that some posters here will start thinking with their brains instead of their feelings. Liberalism is the easy way out because it only requires you to feel and not think.

I know that there will be a flame war over this post and I will not be looked upon favorably because of it but I will not compromise my values. So therefore I will restrict myself to only the non-political postings from now on. This is a great forum for immigration issues and that is all it will be for me from now on.

Peace to everyone that I have sparred with, you are entitled to your viewpoints. That is also something that is American. Even though I totally disagree with you I would fight to the death for your right to state your views. I hope that we can eventually come together in this country and work towards restoring it to the values that our founding fathers envisioned.

Bye and good luck to you all.

I'm with you Gary. But you know what they say about arguing with idiots..........

so, youa re still talking to yourself Rich?