I have been a contributor to OPP for going on close to four years now, and continually question what power this forum has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met up to fifteen of them personally in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as once again as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that is something conceded to all citizens of this great nation...freedom of speech or expression.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that criss-crossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its founding documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have seen numbers of exchanges between Veterans, some of whom shed blood for our country...disparaging/disrespecting other Veterans simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side or the other often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. At what point has one paid enough for an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country? I doubt that any service member, in a past firefight or foxhole, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time...with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S. If interested, there are two past posts that chronicle some of my observations of OPP posters, and having met some of them while traveling: 'Parting Observations,' and 'A Common Thread.' Just hit 'Search' on the main OPP page, and punch in those thread titles off my profile page.

I have been a contributor to OPP for going on close to four years now, and continually question what power this forum has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met up to fifteen of them personally in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as once again as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that is something conceded to all citizens of this great nation...freedom of speech or expression.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that criss-crossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its founding documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have seen numbers of exchanges between Veterans, some of whom shed blood for our country...disparaging/disrespecting other Veterans simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side or the other often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. At what point has one paid enough for an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country? I doubt that any service member, in a past firefight or foxhole, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time...with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S. If interested, there are two past posts that chronicle some of my observations of OPP posters, and having met some of them while traveling: 'Parting Observations,' and 'A Common Thread.' Just hit 'Search' on the main OPP page, and punch in those thread titles off my profile page.

I have been a contributor to OPP for going on close to four years now, and continually question what power this forum has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met up to fifteen of them personally in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as once again as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that is something conceded to all citizens of this great nation...freedom of speech or expression.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that criss-crossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its founding documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have seen numbers of exchanges between Veterans, some of whom shed blood for our country...disparaging/disrespecting other Veterans simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side or the other often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. At what point has one paid enough for an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country? I doubt that any service member, in a past firefight or foxhole, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time...with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S. If interested, there are two past posts that chronicle some of my observations of OPP posters, and having met some of them while traveling: 'Parting Observations,' and 'A Common Thread.' Just hit 'Search' on the main OPP page, and punch in those thread titles off my profile page.

From Mark Twain.....

'Patriotism is usually the refuge of the scoundrel. He is the man who talks the loudest.'
- Education and Citizenship speech, 5/14/1908

'Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.'
- More Maxims of Mark Twain, Johnson, 1927

'A man can be a Christian or a patriot, but he can't legally be a Christian and a patriot -- except in the usual way: one of the two with the mouth, the other with the heart. The spirit of Christianity proclaims the brotherhood of the race and the meaning of that strong word has not been left to guesswork, but made tremendously definite -- the Christian must forgive his brother man all crimes he can imagine and commit, and all insults he can conceive and utter- forgive these injuries how many times? -- seventy times seven -- another way of saying there shall be no limit to this forgiveness. That is the spirit and the law of Christianity. Well -- Patriotism has its laws. And it also is a perfectly definite one, there are not vaguenesses about it. It commands that the brother over the border shall be sharply watched and brought to book every time he does us a hurt or offends us with an insult. Word it as softly as you please, the spirit of patriotism is the spirit of the dog and wolf. The moment there is a misunderstanding about a boundary line or a hamper of fish or some other squalid matter, see patriotism rise, and hear him split the universe with is war-whoop. The spirit of patriotism being in its nature jealous and selfish, is just in man's line, it comes natural to him -- he can live up to all its requirements to the letter; but the spirit of Christianity is not in its entirety possible to him.

The prayers concealed in what I have been saying is, not that patriotism should cease and not that the talk about universal brotherhood should cease, but that the incongruous firm be dissolved and each limb of it be required to transact business by itself, for the future.'
- Mark Twain's Notebook

I have been a contributor to OPP for going on close to four years now, and continually question what power this forum has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met up to fifteen of them personally in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as once again as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that is something conceded to all citizens of this great nation...freedom of speech or expression.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that criss-crossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its founding documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have seen numbers of exchanges between Veterans, some of whom shed blood for our country...disparaging/disrespecting other Veterans simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side or the other often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. At what point has one paid enough for an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country? I doubt that any service member, in a past firefight or foxhole, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time...with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S. If interested, there are two past posts that chronicle some of my observations of OPP posters, and having met some of them while traveling: 'Parting Observations,' and 'A Common Thread.' Just hit 'Search' on the main OPP page, and punch in those thread titles off my profile page.

Slatten-good post with sensible ideas. However, do not forget that to a democrat compromise means "lets do it my way". For the past 8 years we have done it the democrat way and look at where we are. Is it not time to try
something different ? What do we have to lose ? Its either guaranteed failure with continued democrat policies
or possible success with a new agenda. I opt to give the new approach a try and if it does not work we can try
something new in four years. The democrats are unable to get over an unexpected loss and fail to recognize that
they cast aside a potential winner or two and opted for a corrupt loser as their candidate. They will probably not make that mistake again but what is done is done and it is time to move on. We are not seeing any cooperation from the democrat side of congress so the GOP will have to go it alone at least for a while. When one observes elderly adults in congress acting like petulant children it makes a strong case for term/age limits. As a moderate, I
despise such conduct on both sides of the aisle. Trump is president and we need to support him until someone else is chosen by the voters. America First !!!

I have been a contributor to OPP for going on close to four years now, and continually question what power this forum has over me.

It is true that I have made numerous OPP friends over time...even having met up to fifteen of them personally in my travels across my state and the nation. Even more friends have been established through PMs and e-mails in open and friendly exchanges, along with publicly expressed exchanges on the forum. As I have stated in previous posts, those friends range from possibly the most zealous of conservative ideologues to varying levels of progressive individuals. Keep in mind, I am not necessarily putting those labels on them so much as they have been pigeon-holed, IMO, by the majority of OPP posters. And yet, as once again as stated in previous posts, all appear(ed) to be red-blooded and true blue, patriotic Americans. The only difference is/was in their political perspectives. I was raised and taught to believe that is something conceded to all citizens of this great nation...freedom of speech or expression.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of our most beloved and respected forefathers. Yet, in lifetimes and careers that criss-crossed one another, they often had the most vile and bitter of political disputes. Still, neither of them could remotely be considered any less than two of the most influential founders of both our country and its founding documents. Their latter years (with political disputes behind them) were spent in steady personal dialogue and communication which exposed their respect for one another and their love of country. Why is it that, today, those of us who differ in our approaches to honoring our country can't find a way similar to those two great men in reaching an accord with honor and respect for opposing opinions?

There are many Veterans on this forum and I respectfully honor all of them for their service and sacrifice. Yet, I have seen numbers of exchanges between Veterans, some of whom shed blood for our country...disparaging/disrespecting other Veterans simply because of opposing political or ideological stances on matters subject to discussion on the forum. One side or the other often lambasts the other for, according to them, lack of proper respect or love of country. At what point has one paid enough for an honest expression of their patriotism and love of country? I doubt that any service member, in a past firefight or foxhole, questioned the compatriots alongside them their political party or ideology. Why would any question the patriotism of a Veteran in a political discussion when each has served and often fought for the right to express an opinion? And, better yet, why would anyone question a Veteran as to their patriotism, especially when they have earned it with their allegiance and service to country while, as stated, oft-time...with their blood?

Getting back to my original premise: I find myself continually questioning why I stay on this forum. I guess it is because I am in constant search of the common thread that may, once again, bind us all: The eventual hope and belief that the best within our forefathers will emerge once again and we will begin to re-affirm ourselves as the greatest nation to have ever graced this good earth. I don't think that this will come about by steadfast devotion to any political party or ideology, but by the belief in ourselves as a nation of Americans, one and all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen."

"Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S. If interested, there are two past posts that chronicle some of my observations of OPP posters, and having met some of them while traveling: 'Parting Observations,' and 'A Common Thread.' Just hit 'Search' on the main OPP page, and punch in those thread titles off my profile page.

thanks Slat
your words should make everyone on OPP stop and think
.Whether you are Democratic ,Republican,or Independent,each and every poster on OPP Is a part of our Nation.
I have met many on OPP who have given me hope that if we only try,we can come together.
President Trump has been duly elected to lead our Nation for the next four years.
Let's give him a chance.
and why not give the guy you don't like because he don't think like you,a chance?
You might discover that your adversarys are really very nice people