rumitoid

I see much of the knee-jerk insults and name calling by a presumed labeling of another as left or right to demonstrate apathy for the state of America and its future. America gave the world, not always in practice but in foundational ideals, a higher definition of what it means to be a citizen in this world. Partisan War turns its back on those ideals, no matter how those on either side claim they are defending those ideals in this wasteful and destructive conflict. It is fight we cannot win on either side without destroying the very object we claim to love.

I am not saying abandon your values in order to find solutions to our ailing nation. I am saying this demonizing of each other is the disease. To move forward and grow each of us must resolve to live by a higher definition of our responsibility to this country. I feel the majority here tries to do so, yet we are human and have our lapses and sometimes a breaking point with the steady vitriol, I know I have.

If we could just sacrifice our opinions about other people or parties, not our personal values and ideals, and just stick with the issue at hand with religious civility, I think much good and real progress could be accomplished. Just leave personalities out of the picture entirely. When we see the other is not responding in the usual hateful way but being respectful, the need for defense or offense steadily lessens. Taking the time to actually get to know someone instead of filling in their character with pre-suppositions based on political affiliation will, I feel, ease tensions enough to make opp a real center for understanding and growth, solutions and healing.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

I tried to explain to you before. OPP is not your comfort zone. And your unrealistic expectations are clearly indicative of a latent psychological infirmity. Your suggestion to " ....leave personalities out of the picture entirely", is exemplary of your impractical thought process. In a past discourse between us, I was quite unrelenting in my disparagement of your views and your lack of intestinal fortitude. But I see now that you truly are a pitiful soul and in need of help. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide such guidance. All I can offer is, " man up bro, the world is not your comfort zone ".

rumitoid

Thank you for trying to help and for sharing. I appreciate your participation. But are you saying that being civil to and respectful of others are defects or perhaps a "latent psychological infirmity"? Just curious.

rumitoid

More harm is usually done by the one who takes offense than the one who originally gave some.

7sealssurvivor

Don't let the political correctness police change you....those universal principles that made America a once great nation are not negotiable..... I'm not going to just sit by quietly and respectfully while collectivist, socialist, communist, liberals spew their hate speech ideology with impunity. Wolf was right....you need to grow a pair.... reading your pathetic, apologist, can't-we-all-just-get-along rhetoric confirms in my mind that America does not have much more time...there are too many milk cows like you...just ready to be herded to slaughter. Well...enjoy the Fema Camp. Wolf.....keep being yourself my friend and speak the truth. Defend the truth...destroy the lie!

Asiseeit

Very noble and your appeal to become more lace curtained in our approach is commendable and reputable. But then enters human nature. The base desire and need to categorize everything and the overwhelming need to feel or act superior to the status quo. In utopia everyone holds their view until another has finished, all have manners, and each person's opinion is valued. I can only look in admiration at people who can withhold labeling or condescending attitudes. Many times we find that what we aspire to, the higher ground, the well mannered and gentle persona and fall short when faced with disagreeable or those who do not readily cry uncle and bend to our myopic point of view. Personality enters in and even the most benign of attitudes or dispositions can degrade into snapping and snarling beasts. And this is on mundane actions of life. Enter politics or religion, where people are impassioned and already is comfortable with their understanding of their "side" do not easily give way to the tableau of a less popular subsidiary political or a less palatable religious dogma.

It is just my personal opinion, but to ask or have expectations that people will sacrifice their stance for the sake of civility is expecting too much of anyone between the age of thought to senility of old age.

Can you or anyone say that they always take the higher ground, find resolutions rather than welter in emotional over attachment to ideals learned when we were still pupilages? I slip down the slope into the fen, in particular when someone can not put aside their view and happily go along with my self perceived better alternative.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I believe when people are rude, myself included, it is not a personal attack . I believe everyone on this site truly loves their country. Politics and religion brings about passionate responses in people. I don't take it personally and I hope when I have been rude people understand it is in reference to their position on a topic not them personally.

Asiseeit

I would agree with you, that a comment should not be taken personally unless it begins with "You are...." then the topic is abandoned, people lick their wounds while debating the best counterattack. Being firm in your belief, stating that belief in clear ardent terms should not be an affront, but a statement of perceptions. However, "your are a" makes it a personal attack. And then the humor begins, the person that fires the first shot then when met with counter offense tries to play off the first shot and the war begins. Histrionics become major factors, unlike many things, words once spoken can not be retracted. No editing possible, the harm or the uplifting of spirit is now history. To quote another poster, no one can un-ring a bell.

Snoopy

Rumitoid

Coming from you, who drove someone off this site by your antics, just shows your true colors.

Snoopy

MrEd Loc: Georgia

I hate to say this, because you seem to be a nice guy, but you are also dreaming if you think people will always be civil. Most of the time we are and in public most times, but not on OPP or any other forum. These forums are used to try and educate people as to what is going on. Some people agree that the bad things are the great things about this country. Those are the progressives and the ones that cause the problems to begin with. I have no use for them and I don't care if I am polite. They refuse to listen and only put people down and everyone's ideas but theirs are wrong. The problem with them is, they are wrong headed.

You say you want to be civil, fine, but be prepared to be walked all over. One thing you don't seem to understand is, this country is going through a Civil War right now. It's just that the shooting hasn't started yet. That is the last thing I ever wanted to see, but it is here and there is no getting around it.

Obama is trying to take over this country and turn it into something most people don't want. To do that, he has to destroy it first and he is getting that done more each day. One of these days he is going to push people to far and all hell is going to break loose. This time it is not going to be the South against the North, but right from wrong.

I also think it will tear this country apart and I don't know if we can put it back together again. There is one thing you need to know about war. Nice guys ALWAYS finish last. Right at the moment it is just a war of words, but that will not last much longer. Obama does not want to leave office and will do almost anything to stay there. That will not happen no matter what he does.

rumitoid

All a matter of perception to take sides, getting honest takes a few more steps. People make decisions freely or need help; blaming another for what we choose to do is a lack of accountability and sparse on integrity.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I agree. I hope I am not guilty of doing this to anyone. If I have I am truly sorry. Sometimes we all revert to playground rules.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

rumitoid

Some of the opinions seem to read the world is a cruel place, people are imperfect, ideals are naïve, so let's just keep strolling down primrose path to doom. If you think that I'm foolish, look at Jesus: how naïve can you get. Here is his opinion of us: "your are the light of the world, the salt of the earth." Be ye there perfect as the father in heaven is perfect.' Could he have said these things just to be flattering or because he knew it was possible. I suggest to start seeing yourselves and others more in the same light Jesus did. As you are the imago dei, see that likeness clearly reflected in your neighbor.