whitnebrat Loc: In the wilds of Oregon

I came to OPP with a set of obviously naive assumptions:

That reasonable debate over issues would be possible.

That minds can be changed through rational discourse.

That people can put aside their predjudices and look at ideas dispassionately.

I was woefully mistaken.

Reasonable debate was for the most part impossible without invective and the destruction of the presenter.

Most of the minds on the site are already finalized. "My mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts."

The prejudices of h**e, race, and religion are on full display without any restraint. Many of the vehement posts about Obama, for instance, seem to be heavily racially motivated and if said outside of the realm of politics would be considered as libel and slander.

It is irrelevant as to where these viewpoints come from, but it is not irrelevant that they exist in their full regalia on OPP. It seems to be a magnet for those that want to vent their anger, frustration and h**e at their situation, real or imagined.

The site seems to be inundated with people that come here just for the confrontation and the ability to put other people down with flawed logic, false information and just plain vile insults. "If you can't convince them with logic and facts, then baffle them with bulls**t."
It's mostly the latter, and very little of the former.

I would ask you ex-military types out there if this kind of rhetoric and discussion is what you served to protect? I hope not.

You probably noticed that I'm not posting very much any more, and not responding to many posts that others have put up. I've realized that there's not much point in stating what I consider to be facts, nor in posting opinions based on logical progressions. Therefore I've withdrawn from active participation on the site for the most part. When I've been tempted to post, I've reconsidered many times and kept my ideas and opinions to myself. Replying to other's posts only invited insults and degrading remarks. It's not worth it to me. I probably won't even respond to the replies I get to this post.

You'll probably brand me as "thin-skinned" and "she can't take it." That's the tack that most bullies celebrate their victories with. For me it's anything but that. If there's a topic that I feel strongly about, the pragmatic decision for me is to apply my efforts in a venue where I can make a difference, not throw my energy away in a futile effort to persuade the unpersuadable to my position.

If our country's politics and civility is reflected in the verbiage present on OPP, I pray for our country and hope that reality will set in before destruction does.

Weasel Loc: In the Great State Of Indiana!!

Did you see President Trump on the news today? He is expressing the very same thoughts as you are.
God Bless.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

I am sure there are other forums that you would feel happier with. Since you are only here to change people's minds, and now you realize that is not an easy thing to do, I encourage you to find a more malleable group to impress. There are many more Liberal sites, just hunt around until you can find a group of people who will echo your politics. I wish you well.

EmilyD

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't know how to say it as nicely as you just did...

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Thank you my friend.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Sad thoughts, indeed, Whitnebrat. The forum suffers with the loss of any worthwhile contributors, whether they be from the left or right. Good luck, as your contributions were/are noteworthy and have been deserving of thought and consideration. You will be missed.

bahmer

I see that you brought up Barack Obama and you contribute our remarks based on race. Most of us disagreed with his executive orders as well as Obamacare and that was not attributed to race at all. I see you also left out all of the negative remarks about Donald Trump from your side of the political divide. You are very choosy as to who you criticize and who you support. You can't have it both ways because you will be taken to task for it remember also that many of the posters here are well into their sixties and some in their seventies and beyond and it is hard to change the mind of someone that has gone through this many years of life. Maybe you should find a younger group say in their teens or early twenties but they are already liberal just like you.

peg w

I noticed this too, snd I just stsrted to post.

debeda

Yes, perhaps a college site?

Comment Loc: California

Ms. Whitne: I left OPP for two years because I was addicted to it and life demanded my time elsewhere. I am most disgusted herein due to the ignorance of some posters; sometimes, it is I, but I try to be honest and honesty does not always mean factual. But, I welcome anyone to set me straight. It amazes me how it i that a Democrat and a Conservative see the same set of facts and derive different conclusions. Bias is the root of unlearning. Children have not yet learned bias; therefore, they have the ability to fill their little brains at at an accelerated rate unattainable by few adults. I want to point out to U that in your reference to Obama U labeled those who opposed Obama as being r****t. That remark is always used by the left, Socialist, Democrats, a r****t party. The N**I's used it and convinced the German to murder 6 million Jews. I could infer that U would like to murder 100 million Conservatives. Socialist Democrats proclaim that they are friends of the Black folks, but all they do for them is put them in ghettos and on welfare. Socialist Democrats have made they second class citizens. Socialist have relieved Black males from being responsible for their children. They have installed Uncle Sam as father, but he is never there to parent. In truncating my tirade, who are the most r****t? Socialist Democrats or Conservatives. The current president has created more jobs for Black folks in one year that your beloved Black President did in 8 years.

pafret Loc: Northeast

Welcome and get used to it. there is a lot of discord here and it you can't defend your thesis you lose. Remember the first person who has to resort to vile epithets has already lost the argument. OPP is not a chorus, it is a rough and tumble debating society. If you don't want your politics or your sexual practices attacked then don't flaunt them but in that case I have to ask why have you come to this forum?

pafret Loc: Northeast

The real point here is that Trump was not creating black jobs or white jobs, wh**ever those might be. He was creating jobs for Americans. He wants to revive our auto industry (which may not be possible) and if you remember the Detroit production lines were staffed locally, with predominantly black people, but the objective is American industry must be revived.

bahmer

Amen and Amen

EmilyD

Excellent point!

debeda

AGREED and AMEN to that!