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

[debster812]

Political or not, I certainly don't presume that what I have to say will ever change ANYONE'S mind. At the most, I can hope that maybe, just maybe, something I write will make someone stop and think about something that they would not ordinarily think about.

Oh, and Maggie--you could never be a nasty arguer!! You will always be a fluff poster to me. (Hey, that was pretty closed minded of me, now wasn't it?? )

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Originally posted by 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.

Well bsynder and I very rarely agree on anything, but I could have written this exact post. It applies perfectly to my feelings on this.

 

[Mamu]

As as my idea's are I post my feelings.

I have a love-hate relationship with both parties.

Too much spin. Don't believe any of it. Most comes from :space: send it back.

A moderate who believes we have too much government. Too many taxes. A judical system that does more ing then the Dis ers.

And too much political bipartisam. Lets work together to make it a better America, who takes care of their own. The poor, the sick, the elderly. Who cares who's it is.

 

[Maleficent13]

I post on political threads for two reasons: one, if I feel passionately about something and just need to get it off my chest. Doesn't happen a whole lot, but does happen.

The other reason I post is because in the time I've been here, participating and reading debates, there have been a few posters who have actually got me thinking about an issue from a totally different perspective. Enough so that I went on my own and researched it, and have actually changed my opinions. The posters didn't change my mind, but they did give me enough facts and logically conclusions that I said, "Wow, I've never looked at it like that before".

I figure I'm in the minority there, but on the off chance that something I think might help someone else clarify their stance, I post.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Saffron,
You have always seemed like much more than a fluff poster, to me. You are really intelligent and have a lot of very interesting things to say. You and Willy, both do.

I feel like in some ways it's more appropriate to be critical of someone's political ideas, as opposed to their personal story. It makes the debate less weird, in some ways. They seem to be too personal lately, so I've been staying away.

Will I ever change anyone's mind? My powers of persuasion have unlimited bounds. So who know, maybe.

 

[rcyannacci]

Originally posted by WillyJ
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.

Nobody's father or mother either. Amen.

 

[wvrevy]

Originally posted by 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.

Ditto. Also, I'd echo what bsnyder said...when I see blatant falsehoods and smears, I feel compelled to post and set the record straight. 'Course, since there are those that would rather it stay bent, those discussions sometimes become heated, but oh, well.

 

[Saffron]

For you guys/gals that are afraid to post, if you passionate about something, and you really want to stand up and be heard, do it! Don't let anything hold you back. You may get flamed, ummm ... I got a little seared ... but if you can take the heat, just put on some of that lime green "Dis Thick Skin Cream" and dive right in. You can dive right out anytime! But if you don't think you should, I understand that. Don't do something you would be uncomfortable with.

Yeah Mike, it was me! And it is, isn't it!

Thanks MP! I see everyone that way! I think we are all CBers, with various likes and dislikes, we're not flat, we have lots of dimensions. I know the people I've "met" on the political threads are really cool people! And they are people I wouldn't have gotten to know if I didn't step in and voice my opinion.

I discovered a lot from that thread I was beating the dead horse in. I find I learn more from the opposing view than I do from those with like views. Someone with an opposing view would post something, and I'd wonder "Why? Why do they think that, where's that coming from?" So I'd set out onto the Internet super highway in search of facts. Sometimes I'd be proven wrong, sometimes I'd be proven right, and sometimes neither, just a little insight into how another person might form an opposing view.

The only thing is, when I go out "there" to do some research, I end up lost. The subject is so intersting and dear to me, I end up lost for hours and hours just reading.

Thanks everybody! We are ALL interesting!

And since Mickey Mouse needs an opponent, I say, "Shrek for President!"

 

[Microcell]

I do, today I did, but it seems futile!

 

[WillyJ]

I wrote:
"I have no doubt if Bush is re-elected 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. . "

This story broke last night: FBI Suspects Israel Has Spy in Pentagon -- CBS News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI believes Israel has a spy at the very highest level of the Pentagon who may have sought to influence U.S. policy on Iran and Iraq, CBS News reported on Friday.

The Israeli embassy immediately denied the report.

The FBI has a full-fledged espionage investigation under way and is about to ... roll up someone agents believe has been spying, not for an enemy, but for Israel, from within the office of the secretary of defense (Donald Rumsfeld)," the network reported.

CBS News said the FBI believed it had solid evidence the suspected mole supplied Israel with classified material that included secret White House deliberations on Iran.

The network described the spy as "a trusted analyst" assigned to a unit within the defense department tasked with helping develop the Pentagon's Iraq policy.

It said the analyst had ties to top Pentagon officials Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith, both regarded as leading architects of the war on Iraq. . .

and. . .


"US seeking reason to act against Iran’


Wow, who could have guessed that??



Wonder if they're not planning on waiting until the election. .



Just a side note on the spy allegations: the names I'm hearing are Larry Franklin and Harold Rhode{s)(?) Rhode/Rhodes sounds like the more likely of the two. . and if my info is right the FBI caught him a while ago and he's been telling them some pretty interesting stuff. .

 

[Saffron]