[rjwood]

Originally Posted by Rasczak the little clique of whacko-liberal bed-wetters and head-nodders you seek reassurance and validation from.

Attempting to be a little analytical yourself, huh.

BTW- I am not being as analytical as you think. It is called experience and wisdom, and I got that from examining my own life and from loving others and being loved by others. It does not take a PHD to understand what it means to be a person, eric. It takes facing who you are, who you were and who you want to be, 'authentically'. Another word for it is 'maturity', try it.

You may think a large vocabulary or being opinionated politically is what makes a mature man. Well, someone has to brake the news to you, my friend, it isn't. People show maturity through respect for others opinions and knowledge of the fact that life is tough for all and we don't need to
make it any tougher for anyone because they don't think like us. That said, a mature man also knows when and where to take his stand when being attacked by others. You came on the scene here on this forum with guns a blazin', trying to establish youself as a big man. Well, what you have shown is your a little boy in a mans body. Grow Up!

What I am just dying to know, eric, is who are the bed wetters, teeny boppers and head-nodders here? Are they people who 'love to hate you' as you said in another thread? Perhaps, they are the people here who disagree with your style.

Name them, big man, unless of course you are being passive-agressive.

BTW-I don't need reassurance or validation from anyone. I got that a long time ago from those who know me best. My mother, father, sisters, brothers, wife, children and friends. I don't need to try and be someone I'm not. How about you, eric, or LT, since you brought up the subject?. Whoever made you think eric is not worth anything was most likely wrong. Try rediscovering him, LT and stop feeling like you need to be 'like' someone else.

You should be very careful about how you spew your attacks, because as any high schooler knows, what you accuse others of, is most likely a mirror reflection of yourself as you are, or at least, have been at some point in your life. maybe that is why you like to talk about anyone other than yourself. It's called 'projecting' and 'denial'.

What is very obvious is, your jealous of me. You wish you could be me without the liberalism attached. I have said outright that I care for people coming up behind me, and you take exception to that, don't you. That is why you try to discredit , or as they say, 'troll' my posts often, isn't it?

Oh, and I have been meaning to tell you this for a while now. As for the fisrt part of your signature, progress opposes itself.

For the second part of your signature; the glass question is meant as a matter of perspective, not to be made right. The glass being the 'wrong' glass is very telling about you, eric.

[RichBarna]

Originally Posted by qtwerp The whole idea of a forum is discussion. What's the point if everyone agrees with you?

Now there's an interesting quote. The trouble is, only the disagreements add any spice to a post; both of which can get you banned or labelled a troll.

It's a dicey old business running/using a forum, it needs a lot more tactical skill than people make out.

It's almost like a game of Risk, you can play it safe and muddle along without rubbing anybody up the wrong way, or you can just keep throwing the dice and gamble your way through the thread, and just hope you don't cross the line.

Maybe Hasbro could invent the "Forum Game" Lol!

It's a battle of wits, make yourself look more intelligent than the others, try to keep cool, don't let the emotion get the better of you, or you will recieve the troll card. You are banned, do not pass go, do not collect $200 etc.....

It could be a best seller

[TruthFatal]

Discussion between people of opposing views is good, but when it degenerates into meaningless insult hurling I would have no problem seeing the offending parties removed from the discussion.

Regardless of where in the political spectrum the offender falls.

Seriously, if you have a disagreement settle it and get over it, or use the forum ignore feature... and get over it. I've only recently registered and I'm already sick of it.

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by TruthFatal Discussion between people of opposing views is good, but when it degenerates into meaningless insult hurling I would have no problem seeing the offending parties removed from the discussion. Regardless of where in the political spectrum the offender falls. Seriously, if you have a disagreement settle it and get over it, or use the forum ignore feature... and get over it. I've only recently registered and I'm already sick of it.

Already tried settleing it. To only have it happen again.

BTW- i don't think defending oneself is meaningless, insulting or hurling anything.

[bns]

Can we come up with a system where either Rasczak or rjwood is allowed in a thread, but not both?

You boys aren't allowed to sit together anymore!

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by bns Can we come up with a system where either Rasczak or rjwood is allowed in a thread, but not both? You boys aren't allowed to sit together anymore!

Cute bns, but I take exception to your insult. If it doesn't concern you, then stay out of it. I am not going to permit someone to constantly troll and insult me and get away with it.

I tried to fix this, but he will have none of it, so, that is how he wants it, he's got it. I usually stay out of his threads, unless he is doing as he did in this one.

You may be a more passive person than I, but that's you and this is me. Whatever you do, do not insult me by referring to me as a boy, unless you are looking for some too.

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by Rasczak Its heavily moderated and you'd be banned right away. Basically, you have to be completely behind the liberal articles of faith. All it would take is saying "I don't like any of the Democratic candidates, I am considering voting for a republican," and you are banned. That said, I have an account there, and now and then I'll go in and post something completely outrageous, pretending to be a far left cucoo, just to see if anyone will step up and say "wait a minute, I wouldn't go that far." But the hilarious (and pathetic and sad at the same time) thing is, they never do, they just cheer each other on. For example, one time I claimed that cement should be outlawed and done away with because its bad for the Earth, and people just sucked it up and agreed. One of them even claimed to have read all the studies that backed up this position. What a riot.

So, you admit to being a troll there?

[bns]

Originally Posted by rjwood Cute bns, but I take exception to your insult. If it doesn't concern you, then stay out of it. I am not going to permit someone to constantly troll and insult me and get away with it. I tried to fix this, but he will have none of it, so, that is how he wants it, he's got it. I usually stay out of his threads, unless he is doing as he did in this one. You may be a more passive person than I, but that's you this is me. Whatever you do, do not insult me by referring to me as a boy, unless you are looking for some too.

Alright. I apologize for that. I retract the comment. You're not a boy, and neither is Rasczak. I'm just tired of the frequent insult wars.

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by bns Alright. I apologize for that. I retract the comment. You're not a boy, and neither is Rasczak. I'm just tired of the frequent insult wars.

Accepted! Then he should stop trolling like a boy. Put us both on ignore or just don't read the posts, but stay out of it.

[mmccarthy]

Not to get involved in your argument but to go back to the original poll. I just wanted to say that the freedom to express ones views regardless of which side of the spectrum you are on or even if you fall in the middle was one of the main things that attracted me to this forum.

Inevitably this will lead to arguments but it has also from what I have seen created some very interesting debates on subjects. I didn't register here to get my views changed but to enter into debate with others of opposing views. Otherwise it would be very boring.

Conservatives and Liberals in Europe don't quite have the extremes of opposing views that are found in the US. You need to bring in the anarchists to get more diversity

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by rjwood Accepted! Then he should stop trolling like a boy. Put us both on ignore or just don't read the posts, but stay out of it.

Good grief, another meltdown.

Originally Posted by rjwood I tried to fix this, but he will have none of it, so, that is how he wants it, he's got it. I usually stay out of his threads, unless he is doing as he did in this one.

Are you seriously trying to pretend I start these things? Let's look at how the volleys between RJ and I went on this thread.

Me-OP: Should conservative posts be banned like on Democratic Underground?

RJ: The question is wrong and not worth answering. Pose the question fairly and get responses.

Note: This is "usually staying out of his threads?"

Me: @ Rjwood, I'm open for suggestions - tell me what you have in mind (PM or Here) and if its in line with what I'm curious about I'll be happy to change it.

Note: Was that out of line? I'm open to contructive criticism, so all I did was ask RJ to explain his jab.

RJ: What good is your question if I am asking it? Figure it out yourself. If you cannot see the fallacy in your question, I cannot help you. I do agree with qtwerp, but your question is too contrived. But that is so you, rasczak.

Note: This was typical of him. He pops in with some passive agressive gripe, but refuses to explain it. That's not discussion. I asked him to tell me how he'd have phrased it, but he refused. This indicates to me, he's not interested in stirring up constructive discussion, he just wants to create friction. And he keeps calling me a troll?

Did I fire back and insult at him? No.

Me: I'm not the one saying there is anything wrong with my question as it is. You are. All I'm asking is that you tell me what you think is wrong with it. You say it is contrived - how is it contrived?

Have I said anything insulting towards RJ at this point in the thread? I think not.

RJ: In Rasczaks case it may have a lot to do with the fact he is so military minded. The military is not a place for creative or critcal thinking within the ranks and is usually, 'do as I say and think as I think or else.'

Most military lifers like rasczak are more or less raised to think like this.

Full disclosure - I hadn't even noticed this until just now as I was reviewing the thread, and it wasn't directed at me, he was replying to BNS. None the less, its an example of how RJ always goes to the person - me. BNS was discussing the topic question, RJ had to turn it into a discussion about me.

Next, BNS asks a question about where I took my username from. Now remember, RJ want you to think I drag him kicking and screaming into confrontations with me - that I'm the instigator.

RJ: It is from star wars troopers or some other action fiction story or cartoon.

Insulting? Not at all. Childish? Absolutely. Should I have called him on it? Why not.

Me: Yet another transparent passive aggressive stunt that serves only to make you look foolish and stir up yuk yuks amongst the little clique of whacko-liberal bed-wetters and head-nodders you seek reassurance and validation from. For you to know about the character "LT Rasczak" means you know where it comes from, so its obvious your feigned ignorance of the title and genre was intentional and contrived, not to mention perfectly childish.

You know the rest. Should I just have ignored RJ? Some will answer yes, and I respect that. I believe in answering foolishness according to what the foolishness deserves. But I won't have anyone pretending like I'm the one that stirs these things up. Go back and look at any thread where RJ and I have gone at it and see if you don't see the same pattern. RJ is not trying to avoid conflicts with me.

Now take a look at threads where BNS (for example) and I get into disagreements, and BNS almost always disagrees with me. BNS argues the issues. He and I have fairly solid debate with none of the crap RJ brings into a thread.

[Big Dave]

Originally Posted by rjwood Accepted! Then he should stop trolling like a boy. Put us both on ignore or just don't read the posts, but stay out of it.

From my experience, you tend to be the one who starts these petty (yes, they are) arguments. As soon as Rasczak (or sometimes myself too) posts something you disagree with, you jump right in and attack him personally, rather than attacking his arguments. From the moment that happens, the whole thread turns into one big whopping pile of b*llsh*t.

We've even had amateurish, kindergarten-like insults such as this one:

Originally Posted by Iammyaspectofus Rasdick

I'd have found that really funny.... when I was seven. No wonder Iammyaspectofus (or whatever it says) has "Banned" under his username.

[MRiGnS]

Originally Posted by Big Dave From my experience, you tend to be the one who starts these petty (yes, they are) arguments. As soon as Rasczak (or sometimes myself too) posts something you disagree with, you jump right in and attack him personally, rather than attacking his arguments. From the moment that happens, the whole thread turns into one big whopping pile of b*llsh*t. We've even had amateurish, kindergarten-like insults such as this one: I'd have found that really funny.... when I was seven. No wonder Iammyaspectofus (or whatever it says) has "Banned" under his username.

just because you claim "attacking ones arguments" doesn't makes it true.

"It's always the others, blabla, I'm the victim, oh, wait I'm a saint"

EDIT: But I have to agree the Rasdick thingy wasn't very gentle.

[Big Dave]

Originally Posted by MRiGnS just because you claim "attacking ones arguments" doesn't makes it true.

Eh? That makes no sense.

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by Big Dave Eh? That makes no sense.

I believe it means that even though you and eric claim you are attacking a persons arguments, the fact is, you are actually attacking the person. Your just being cute about it. Make more sense now?

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by MRiGnS just because you claim "attacking ones arguments" doesn't makes it true. "It's always the others, blabla, I'm the victim, oh, wait I'm a saint" EDIT: But I have to agree the Rasdick thingy wasn't very gentle.

I think the point that Big Dave was making is that he, as well as probably the majority of the forum, would rather everyone just stuck to discussing issues and not get personal with attacks. When people get personal, things go downhill fast, and it gets in the way of a meaningful discussion.

If someone can't handle having their views challenged, my opinion is they don't belong in the threads where controversial issues are discussed. Or at least they shouldn't take it personally when someone challenges their views and just move on.

[TruthFatal]

Originally Posted by rjwood BTW- i don't think defending oneself is meaningless, insulting or hurling anything.

Agreed, defending your views need not be any of those things. Unfortunately, it is very easy to let your defense degrade to that level. I'm not particularly interested in who initiated the animosity, I simply think that it's disruptive to the topic at hand.

I notice that you suggested to bns that he either put you both on ignore or simply not reads posts of that nature. I think that is somewhat of an unfair proposition. Firstly, if he were to ignore you it could deprive him of any future valid or helpful posts that you make. Secondly, a person can't simply 'un-read' an unhelpful comment, so not reading posts of an inflammatory nature is an implausible prospect.

I see that it is also unfair to ask you and Rasczak to ignore each other for the same reasons. Of all of the unfair resolutions that are possible, that is the least so, because you two can be fairly certain that you have nothing pleasant to say to each other and have the most reason to not want to read the others comments.

Meh, I'll continue to read all the comments in a thread and enjoy the good ones while cringing at the inappropriate ones.

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by Rasczak I think the point that Big Dave was making is that he, as well as probably the majority of the forum, would rather everyone just stuck to discussing issues and not get personal with attacks. When people get personal, things go downhill fast, and it gets in the way of a meaningful discussion. If someone can't handle having their views challenged, my opinion is they don't belong in the threads where controversial issues are discussed. Or at least they shouldn't take it personally when someone challenges their views and just move on.

Are you talking about threads and posts such as this? Buying a Car or Insurance?

[rjwood]

Originally Posted by TruthFatal Agreed, defending your views need not be any of those things. Unfortunately, it is very easy to let your defense degrade to that level. I'm not particularly interested in who initiated the animosity, I simply think that it's disruptive to the topic at hand. I notice that you suggested to bns that he either put you both on ignore or simply not reads posts of that nature. I think that is somewhat of an unfair proposition. Firstly, if he were to ignore you it could deprive him of any future valid or helpful posts that you make. Secondly, a person can't simply 'un-read' an unhelpful comment, so not reading posts of an inflammatory nature is an implausible prospect. I see that it is also unfair to ask you and Rasczak to ignore each other for the same reasons. Of all of the unfair resolutions that are possible, that is the least so, because you two can be fairly certain that you have nothing pleasant to say to each other and have the most reason to not want to read the others comments. Meh, I'll continue to read all the comments in a thread and enjoy the good ones while cringing at the inappropriate ones.

Your a smart person TruthFatal. You make a lot of sense.

I try pretty hard to stay away from erics posts unles they are insulting towards other members or people in general. Referring to members of this forum as 'bed-wetters', 'teeny-boppers' and the like is not acceptable to me. The people he refers to may not have the education he does but that does not give him or anyone the right to be insulting towards them. What really irks me is the fact that many of those he so easily dismiss' with his flippant additude is that many of those and their other family members have paid for his education and his government job with their tax dollars, and this is how he thanks them.

I've run into people like him before and the worse thing a group of people can do is ignore them and permit them to run others off because they do not fit his idea of what a member should be like.

We all make errors here and there, but eric is an 'in your face' person who trys to be a single authority. He's good at it too. however, for as long as I choose to be a member of this forum, I will be reminding him that he should think before he ridicules others.

[nikkiana]

While I may not agree with some conservative viewpoints, I don't think there's any reason to ban someone based solely upon their political persuasion.