Political -- do you post on political debates to change someone's mind?

[Saffron]

I read that on a few posts in the past couple days and I was just wondering.

I'm new to the political debate threads, and I didn't think I'd ever argue a point to death like I have the last week or so if it wasn't about Vietnam, Vietnam veterans, the V V A W, etc. But ... when I posted I never thought for one second I was doing so to change anyone's mind about a particular presidential candidate. I was trying to stand up for what I strongly believe in, and trying to research, learn and post about any inaccuraces that were posted about the subject, and learn things I didn't know, from both sides of the political fence. I know more about Kerry's butt than I ever cared to know!!

I'm a fluff poster from way back (although now I feel "pigeoned holed" as a nasty arguer! ), and I always just post my opinion, I never thought I was trying to change someone's mind unless they asked me an opinion and because maybe they were looking to change their mind. Bubbles, shoes, jewelry, food, WDW resorts, music, no matter, it's always been just my opinion.

Why do you post to political threads?

 

[Missy1961]

I don't---I'm afraid to get flamed, I guess. I'm an independent, no ties to either party. So many of my opinions are not the "popular" ones. But I do love to read them. I've learned alot of things in the last few weeks. So don't take them away!

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Maggie...

I read more than I post and I think I learn more on these boards than I do on the news!

I read to hear the side that I am not privy to in my RL. I am curious about other people's views and want to hear them. I would NEVER assume that I can change someone's mind, and hope no one here thinks they can change mine! That, IMHO, is insulting.

I enjoy a good debate but when it spirals down to insults and quotes and run on garbage it no longer is a debate but a high school rank session. Everyone who can type on a computer I can assume had enough sense to come to a conclusion as an adult and has a right to it.

People who use scare tactics and such sound desparate. Like I told my sister "they're spinning out of control!" This calms me and compared to the last election, speaks volumes to the amount of emotion everyone is bringing to the voting booth this year.

 

[shortbun]

Oh yeah, I post to change peoples minds!

Political posts are pretty much fun until someone says
something really mean directly to you. I'll be back at work
tomorrow and then the campaigning really starts cause the
union I work for is doing a "Get Out the Vote" campaign and
the DNC is right across the street from my compound hdqtrs.
So my political DISing is going to lull. sigh
bye!
mimi

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Missy1961
I don't---I'm afraid to get flamed, I guess. I'm an independent, no ties to either party. So many of my opinions are not the "popular" ones. But I do love to read them. I've learned alot of things in the last few weeks. So don't take them away!

I'm the same way. One minute I'm agreeing with the right and then the next minute I'm agreeing with the left , depending on the issue. I think it confuses people.

 

[BostonTigger]

I will post sometimes, in hopes to at least make people think about who they are voting for. Although I will admit that I sometimes get lost in the debates. I can't always keep up with what people are talking about.

 

[we3luvdisney]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I'm the same way. One minute I'm agreeing with the right and then the next minute I'm agreeing with the left , depending on the issue. I think it confuses people.

Sounds like John Kerry Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[MikeB63]

I don't try and change anyone's opinion, but I'll admit it would be interesting if I could. I started posting to argue points that differ from my own, to learn what other people are thinking and why, and to learn in general. From reading some of these posts, it definitely seems that people do try. These should nevere get nasty or rude, but it's easy to see why they would as it can be very frustrating. Maggie, I think it was you who asked me, "It's addicting isn't it?". That is an understatement. If it wasn't you, I'm sure whoever it was is probably reading this.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by we3luvdisney
Sounds like John Kerry Sorry, I couldn't resist.

LOL! I meant, On some issues I agree with the left; other issues I agree with the right.

I don't change my mind every other day about the SAME issue.

 

[we3luvdisney]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
LOL! I meant, On some issues I agree with the left; other issues I agree with the right.

I don't change my mind every other day about the SAME issue.

LMBO

BTW --- You actually play D&D?

 

[bsnyder]

I don't presume to think I would change anyone's mind. Most of those who participate in such threads are very partisan, including me, and opinions are pretty fixed.

I post in the hope that I can correct the record when I see mistatements or misunderstandings, or distortion of facts. I also post my personal opinions because I like debating. it can be very difficult to do that in real life, with people who have opposing views and it gets very boring doing it with the people who agree with you.

I've been involved in politics, in RL since I was a child. Back then, I just liked "playing office" and the grownups were always so grateful for the help with things like stuffing envelopes. Now it's something, for me, that is much more serious than that, and I try to do my part, with both my time and my money, to insure that the views and ideals I hold dear are respresented in our government.

One thing that seems to happen frequently, when the debating gets heated, is the level of sarcasm goes through the roof. I'm as guilty as the next, in indulging in this practice, but at the same time, I do realize it's childish and unproductive, and I try (unsucessfully at times) to stick to debating the facts.

 

[Lanshark]

I know more about Kerry's butt than I ever cared to know!!

Well Maggie.....:thewave:


Actually I guess I am one of the few people who does not feel strongly about either candidate. I don't particularly like either one and am constantly looking for good, factual, unbiased information to assist me in my decision. Unfortunately, much of the information posted here is extremely slanted to the far right or far left. I consider myself a moderate. I see very few moderate viewpoints.

We have the Anyone but Bush crowd that would vote for OJ over Bush. Emotions run high in this crowd who believes Bush is the Antichrist. This crowd really turns me off.

We have the Kerry is weak on defense so you're all gonna die if he's elected crowd. Emotions also run high here. Often times playing on fear and patriotism this crowd believes the only way to prevent another 9-11 is to keep Kerry out of office. This crowd really turns me off too.

Personally, I don't want to argue about politics. I don't want to convince someone else they are wrong. I want to educate myself. I want to gather all the facts I can.

It seems that what I read here is mostly opinion based on the hatred of one of the candidates. If my mind is clouded by hate I cannot see the facts clearly.

 

[grinningghost]

No way - most of the people that post on the political threads have concrete views one way or the other - I'd hurt myself if I tried to change their minds.

 

[rcyannacci]

I agree with others who stated that I'm not here to try and change anyone's mind. These posts help me solidify my own views, challenge me to think more complexly about political issues. Discussions about politics is one of the things that can unify us as citizens. The fact that I can converse here about the same issues with people from diverse backgrounds living across the nation (or even the globe) is a gift of sorts, I think. I like that there are disagreements, because it restores my faith in active democracy. Debate is a form of dialogue, and dialogue produces knowledge.

In my real life, I usually find myself often surrounded by people who share my political beliefs. My parents, my DH, most of my colleages at school are Democrats (heck, at work I'm not considered left enough!) I come here sometimes to remind myself of the arguements of the opposition, and to study the rhetoric around contemporary issues. I think in the past many Democrats have taken the "moral highground" in terms of political rhetoric, thinking they don't need to engage in same sort of rhetoric as conservatives. But, I think we've all seen in the last 20 years or so how strong a base the Republicans built through the repetition of certain themes and the ability to label certain ideological positions as "common sense." But I'm sensing a new rhetorical awareness with this election; Democrats are beginning to borrow some of these same tactics, and the war of words is equalizing. I see that happening on these boards as well.

 

[Laz]

I have been one of the posters supporting Bush on these debates, yet I hold no grudge against anyone who exercises their right to stand up and disagree with the current administration. That is what this country is all about, and it makes me proud to be an American. What I truely hope is that the debating will get more people out to vote! That is the best way for all of us to defeat terrorism. Every vote for the candidate of your choice is a slap in the face of the terrorist.

Yes, I am voting for Bush, but if Kerry wins, guess what?

-Wal Mart will open on Nov. 3

-I will get my mail everyday.

-My DD will still go to school.

-I will still have to go to work

-I will still spring break at WDW

-I will still be a free American.


Defeat the terrorist: VOTE for the candidate of your choice!

 

[jrydberg]

Hrmm... why do I post on political threads? Because I can. Maybe I'll change someone's mind, maybe I won't. That's not the point, to me. If the issue never gets discussed from as many points of view as possible, we are all poorer as a result.

 

[WillyJ]

I post because for 12+ years the right wing ideologues like Rush Limbaugh have told half-truths and lies to be provocative and entertaining and because they weren't factually challenged point-by-point on a daily basis their crap became fact for too many people and then anyone who dared disagreed was called "Un-American" "Unpatriotic" "Pro-Communist" "Pro-Terrorist" "Immoral" and other number of prejoritive, false, and cruel terms. .



Do I post to change anyone's mind?

Well I always hope by presenting the facts as I see them in an understandable way will give those willing to take a further, objective look what I'm talking about and see a different side of an issue they might not have considered before. .


But mainly I post for the people who see things in a similar way I see them and who might have a good idea of what an issue is really about but not all the facts to refute the spin at hand, and who have been bullied into silence by the tactics of the ideologues on the right. . (obviously not everyone who is Pro-Bush, Pro-War, Pro-GOP is like that, but definitely a significant number are) . . . and for those who understand history and are frustrated on how it is misrepresented over and over by the same crowd
. .


I also post for myself because I've a belly full of that stuff and it's the best thing I can do to say I'm doing what I can to save my country from people like Limbaugh, Hannity, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Chalabi, Wolfowitz, Feth, etc.


I have no doubt if Bush is re-elrcted they will invade Iran, then Syria. . they refuse to admit the failure Iraq, so they will carry on the Neo-Con, PNAC fantasy and for that they will need to reinstitute the draft. .

and nobody's kids should die for that.

 

[browneyes]

If I post on a political debate, I do so just so that I can confuse myself a little more. I think we should all right in Mickey Mouse's name in for the election.

 

[Kitty 34]

Browneyes.....you just changed my mind!!!

Mickey Mouse for President!!!!!

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by Kitty 34
Browneyes.....you just changed my mind!!!

Mickey Mouse for President!!!!!

I think he'd make a fine President, E. He could hand out Mickey icecream bars when he comes to meet his voters.