Put a fork in me, I'm done

[okeydokey]

After reading weeks of political posts filled with ridiculousness and hatred, I've been wondering something. If I met some of you in line at the grocery store, or our kids played on the same sports teams and we struck up a conversation about politics or the election and I told you II was voting for the "other guy", what would you do. Would you call me vile names, berate me, say I didn't know what I was talking about or that I didn't love my county? The outright viciousness, hostility and hatred that has been rearing it's head on these boards has made my jaw drop. Do people really type all that negavity and hate and then turn around and kiss their kids a moment later. How do you do it? I have been leaving these boards feeling tense and sad about our country lately. How in your hearts and souls do you not get polluted from the absolute hatred that is spewed here? I can't read any more inane, meaningless and ridiculous posts; no more hatred for me. I'm wishing you all a little bit of peace.

 

[bsnyder]

After reading weeks of political posts filled with ridiculousness and hatred, I've been wondering something. If I met some of you in line at the grocery store, or our kids played on the same sports teams and we struck up a conversation about politics or the election and I told you II was voting for the "other guy", what would you do. Would you call me vile names, berate me, say I didn't know what I was talking about or that I didn't love my county? The outright viciousness, hostility and hatred that has been rearing it's head on these boards has made my jaw drop. Do people really type all that negavity and hate and then turn around and kiss their kids a moment later. How do you do it? I have been leaving these boards feeling tense and sad about our country lately. How in your hearts and souls do you not get polluted from the absolute hatred that is spewed here? I can't read any more inane, meaningless and ridiculous posts; no more hatred for me. I'm wishing you all a little bit of peace.

Peace to you too.

I admit that I argue my point of view forcefully. But I really don't think I'm vicious or hateful to anyone. I occasionally get way too sarcastic, but I try to recognize that and offer a sincere apology when it happens.

 

[C.Ann]

Not only would I not belittle your choice, I wouldn't even be discussing it with you.. I don't discuss who is voting for who - or why..

 

[disney1990]

Unfortunately, the internet has take the "personal" element out of so many things. I doubt that most people would say these things to you in person -- but I am quite sure that a few of them would.

I can understand how you feel after reading this posts night after night.

Peace be with you.

 

[clarabelle]

I've been wondering the same thing. What are these people like in real life?
I try not to post anything here that I wouldn't want my Mom to read.
I want to be able to look back at my posts and feel like I handled myself well.

I will admit that when I first started posting on discussion boards the anonymity of it got to me and I would "pick a fight" . It didn't take long for me to figure out how it felt to be on the other end of the computer and I quit. Just because it is on the computer screen doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
Hate is still hate -no matter the venue.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Its politics - and to many including myself this election is going to make or break our beautiful country and there is alot of underlying things that many won't talk about. Like the real reason they won't vote for Obama.

Sorry to say its a sad fact, I think things will change after the debates and then it is up to us to choose but choose wisely.

I am pretty alone in my thoughts on my candidate in my office at work. I am a FIRM beleiver that you don't discuss it at work, however my entire office except for one other person is for the other guy. That is fine and I respect that at least they are voting and not sitting it out.

What bothers me is when they talk about my candidate and the names they use that are totally and completely inappropriate. They have NO IDEA who I am voting for. I have never, ever said anything remotely as negative as they have said about who I am voting for. So those are people that I don't have respect for.

 

[debster812]

Peace to you too.

I admit that I argue my point of view forcefully. But I really don't think I'm vicious or hateful to anyone. I occasionally get way too sarcastic, but I try to recognize that and offer a sincere apology when it happens.

I don't post on a lot of political posts, but I have noticed your postings. I find that you do argue your point forcefully, but you always try to remain respectful to your opposition, and generally don't get sucked into the depths of ridiculousness that has cropped up here lately. I for one appreciate that.

I am also probably your polar opposite, politically.

 

[wardfamily1]

I don't discuss politics with 'average joe' on the street. If someone struck up a conversation on the street with me either Pro-McCain or Anti-Obama, I would probably chat but I wouldn't be the one to bring it up.

Someone was trying to force their Obama views on me at the State Fair a couple of weeks ago and I just walked away because I'm not voting for him and I didn't want to hear it. They kept talking and I just waved as I walked away.

Honestly though, I don't say anything on here that I wouldn't say 'in real life'. I'm known for being brutally honest, a title DH has given me. I have never called anyone a name on the internet either.

To the OP, if you have been called names and subject to personal attacks, you should certainly report it to the mods.

 

[Patch'sD]

Never once name called or said anything vile. Just expressing my opinion in regards to the topic of the thread. However to some here, if you present an opposing view, you are called a right wing wacko, drinker of kool-aid, presented with some stupid smiley face. But of course than there are these supporter threads that have stratergery discussed on them. Read some of the supporter no debate threads and you can see some of the vile hatred.

Keep the faith, I wellcome to a discussion on the issues anytime

 

[Chuck S]

I actually had a complete stranger walk up and interrupt a conversation in Wal-Mart on the morning that McCain announced Palin was to be his VP. The other person to whom I was speaking (an old family friend) was a McCain supporter. We weren't talking politics. But this new person that interrupted actually said that if Obama wins he advocated shooting all the Obama supporters on site...seriously. And that we should bomb the (insert explicative) out of Russia and take their oil. It was just creepy. So, ya know, some people do talk that stuff in the grocery store.

That being said, there are some friends and family that I discuss politics with, and even though we disagree, we respect and love each other.

 

[bsnyder]

I don't post on a lot of political posts, but I have noticed your postings. I find that you do argue your point forcefully, but you always try to remain respectful to your opposition, and generally don't get sucked into the depths of ridiculousness that has cropped up here lately. I for one appreciate that.

I am also probably your polar opposite, politically.

I genuinely appreciate my polar opposites - it's a bit boring to discuss politics with people who agree with you 100%.

And thank you for the kind words - I think we can all learn things if we can keep the debate honest and respectful - and I am sincere in wanting to do that.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I like discussing politics, but I also have other interests that I think keep me from taking internet discussions to heart. I don't have a hard time respecting people with opposing views if I just consider that they feel as passionately as I do. I get tired of some of the generalizations and assumptions, but it's in my nature to find the humor in just about any situation. If the political threads were making me feel sad or depressed, then I'd do just as the OP is, and take a break.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I genuinely appreciate my polar opposites - it's a bit boring to discuss politics with people who agree with you 100%.

And thank you for the kind words - I think we can all learn things if we can keep the debate honest and respectful - and I am sincere in wanting to do that.

We'll have to debate sometime, Bet. Wonder if I think differently than you, LOL.

 

[bicker]

After reading weeks of political posts filled with ridiculousness and hatred, I've been wondering something.

I've taken to just reading the threads about the political threads. There is enough politics and divisiveness within such meta-threads.

How in your hearts and souls do you not get polluted from the absolute hatred that is spewed here?

A more important question is, "How do you not get polluted from the hatred spewed in society?" In a way, the upfront and above-board hatred you're referring to is less damaging than the underhanded and surreptitious hatred within our society that it reflects.

 

[lsyorke]

How in your hearts and souls do you not get polluted from the absolute hatred that is spewed here? I can't read any more inane, meaningless and ridiculous posts; no more hatred for me.

Ive used the "ignore" feature for the first time in this political season. When you look closely it is only a few posters who are responsible for the "hatred" threads....ignore them...it makes for a much nicer Dis experience.

 

[just4today]

There seems to be a good amount of rabid, vile, nasty posters on both side of the aisle.

 

[JimmyPicker]

I ignore the political threads here 99% of the time. The other 1% of the time, I read them, type out a response, then delete it, knowing that I really and truly do not want to get sucked in.

I rarely, if ever, discuss politics in my everyday life. When I do, it's normally with my husband and it turns into a debate. With anyone else, I will discuss it if they bring it up, but I tend to be very general and not make any "for" or "against" comments.

When I do get the notion to discuss politics, there's a local political message board that I go to.

Most of the posters there are pushy with their views but are also extremely respectful to one another. I think that's what's missing on the DIS political threads. Respect.

 

[bicker]

While Ignore does help with making our online experience better, IRL it has the opposite effect.

 

[bsnyder]

We'll have to debate sometime, Bet. Wonder if I think differently than you, LOL.

I'm seeing you hanging around the "political water cooler" a lot these days, Dan!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

After reading weeks of political posts filled with ridiculousness and hatred, I've been wondering something. If I met some of you in line at the grocery store, or our kids played on the same sports teams and we struck up a conversation about politics or the election and I told you II was voting for the "other guy", what would you do. Would you call me vile names, berate me, say I didn't know what I was talking about or that I didn't love my county? The outright viciousness, hostility and hatred that has been rearing it's head on these boards has made my jaw drop. Do people really type all that negavity and hate and then turn around and kiss their kids a moment later. How do you do it? I have been leaving these boards feeling tense and sad about our country lately. How in your hearts and souls do you not get polluted from the absolute hatred that is spewed here? I can't read any more inane, meaningless and ridiculous posts; no more hatred for me. I'm wishing you all a little bit of peace.

I have been through a couple of elections on this board.
Nothing has changed. Maybe you are new to realizing it.