slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

It is my opinion that much of the discourse on OPP is honest enough, though highly combative in nature. I believe that posters usually simply disagree as a result of having different perspectives acquired from their life experiences. The problems in discourse may very well lie in the likelihood that political exchanges can be and often are similar in passion to religious discussions.

Imagine, if you will, a rabbi, priest or pastor trying to convince the others of their religious convictions or beliefs with the hopeful result of a spiritual or theological conversion. As respected as each of the three aforementioned may be, the odds are strongly against that coming to fruition as the result of their efforts. And, partisan/ideological zealots generally approach those with opposing political views with the fervor of religious evangelists.

As a result, on OPP, it often appears not enough for a true believer to believe as they do. All others must also believe, or the offended may become self-righteous, indignant or even angry, bitter and vindictive. Thus, OPP's political discourse often ends in being similar to the story of the boy who angrily takes his football home with him due to others not playing by his rules.

I close with a favorite quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin: "If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."

woodguru

Actually I was quite surprised to see an escalated level of attack, someone apparently was offended by something I said, I got a PM and they changed some of my posts in responses and started suggesting we meet locally...if I had the guts.

I responded sure...no problem, and pointed out that I'm licensed to carry concealed as well as competing in an array of PPC and combat events, so perhaps I'm not the wimpy liberal they envisioned.

A bit surprising huh?

Common_Sense_Matters

Seems to be a very astute observation, the fly in the ointment is this, how do we change this?

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Actually, no...not at all.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Well, CSM, I have been on OPP for over six years, and have witnessed some (if only a little) change. Don't get me wrong, though. There are plenty of damn good people from all persuasions on this forum. But, as I've learned over the years, there's always gon'na be those who foment trouble.

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

I agree with you. Often passion overtakes reason or consideration of a different viewpoint.

Case in point. President Trump is a prime example of someone who can either do no right or no wrong in the eyes of many here on OPP. If you think about it, no leader of a country is ever going to govern in such a way that all people will approve or disapprove of that that leader all the time. But if read posts by many here on OPP, you will find that many will either defend or criticize every action of President Trump. That is not logical, and should tell you something.

badbobby Loc: texas

It is always my intentions
to listen to the other fellow

I feel that if we listen to the views of others we might learn something we didn't know
Idon't have to agree with a post,but I can respect the others opinion
(there are some exceptions to this---this Divine guy that keeps talkin crazy stuff)

MarvinSussman

The problem is that the usual post is an opinion expressed without facts sustaining the opinion. That opinion is countered by another fact-free opinion. Not very interesting.

Most of these posters don't need facts. They would only get in the way.

Smedley_buzkill

I think everyone should be mild mannered and courteous.
Like me, for instance.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

Sounds like a mealy mouthed pole cat I once knew.

You lefties think you can hide yer' stink with a few eloquently spoken words ?

Nobody here is trying to make you believe a dad blasted thing.

But 'somebody' has made you believe that you h**e Trump.

And since we know you never met the man, it stands to reason that somebody else taught you wh**ever it is that feeds your h**e.

You can dress it up with pretty words but it still stinks to the high heavens.

What you really want is none other than 'political correctness'.

Sorry, but that dog don't hunt around here............ Goober.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Yeah, Smedley, you're a regular Little Lord Fauntleroy, a literary figure who was characterized by charm, courtesy, and extremely good and innocent nature...along with his broad-based knowledge.

Did I leave out anything

woodguru

Then there is the post that is factually based with corroborative sources, and the fact free responder refuses to figure out whether there is anything there before repeating meaningless rhetoric.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

You're one of the exceptional ones, BB.

Smedley_buzkill

Yes. I used to be a crude and uncultured redneck, but now I like flowers and balloons.