9th Marines

I joined this website a number of months ago in anticipation of reading thoughtful, intelligently written responses to a number of social, economic and political issues. Sadly, that has not been the case. Occasionally there are reasoned discussions of a topic, but nearly every post reduces to juvenile name-calling. Most of this name-calling appears to be initiated by individuals declaring themselves Conservatives. As I scan some of these responses—I read little from this site anymore—I often recall the comment by an irrate Marine Corps drill instructor nearly six decades ago, “Do you think I'm talking just to hear my head roar?” As I scan the replies to most posts it seems that the respondent's primary purpose is to hear his head roar.

In the spirit of encouraging a more enlightened use of this website I submit the following by Calvin M. Logue, University of Georgia.
“In the Untied States, as we begin the twenty-first century, too often street and school rage has replaced civil discourse. In the political arena, podium frenzy routinely substitutes for reasonable explanations of stands on vital issues. On religious circuits, ethical tenets can deteriorate to self-indulgence. When demagogic acts monopolize participation and decisions, the body politic and individual well-being suffer.

In contrast, enlightened communicative initiatives by citizens of diverse voices can contribute substantially to the uplifting of the human condition. While poised ignorance and corrupt promises are protected by the Constitution, a free exchange of judicious experience and instructive judgment can expose those rhetorical excesses. Requisite to an informed dialogue beneficial to people and institutions is the understanding, appreciation, and mastering of the liberal art of public speaking. In a nation and world still experimenting with democratic procedures, I can think of no higher calling than to teach free, disciplined, and effective public speaking--the practical art--as I have strived to do for more than three decades.

Through a continuing process of shared inquiry, evaluation, and encouragement, structor and student strive to grow in knowledge, discernment, and appreciation of the worth of the individual, cultures, ideas, values, and opportunities for personal and societal advancement. As with any art form, in seeking these old ends, results are inevitably mixed. More times than not, however, I have been gratified to watch as students confront challenging issues in class responsibly and leave the university to participate productively in small and large communities.” Calvin M. Logue in Extraordinary Teachers: The Essence of Excellent Teaching. Page 175

Stephenson, Fred. Extraordinary Teachers: The Essence of Excellent Teaching. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2001. Print.

bigtom

Amen brother!

Alicia Loc: NYC

*****************
Thank you.

buffalo Loc: Texas

Is this what's going around college campuses? More like excellent moonbat indoctrination. Groups trying to limit free speech, speech that is offensive to delicate little moonbat snowflakes, b*m r****ts. They need "safe sapaces" so they won't be exposed to speech they don't agree with? Seems to the ones trying to stop free speech, especially that which offends their delicate sensibilities, are looney liberal groups I call moonbats.

mcmlx

9th, it says that you joined in August 2014.
Your point is well taken.
What bugs me more than the childish name-calling is that the posters don't stay on topic.

robmull Loc: florida

Well written article "thread," 9th, mcmlx, and I do get weary of the tit-for-tat that seems to always be initiated by the ideology and agendas of occasionally low-information useful-i***ts, without a clue as to where the "progressive" political regimes are directing our free-market Western civilization. "WE" ARE being quietly and deceptively invaded currently, and our Republic is being slowly diluted with a "DEATH TO AMERICA" foreign element, right from-the-top, that is being challenged as a "civil disobedience," on a State to State basis [as is OUR patriotic obligation], but sometimes a degree of anger has to be stimulated in conversation ["threads"] to know exactly the perspective and level a "foreign" and/or "strange" hypothesis has been drawn by obviously anti-American coercion. On any "site," on the internet, [especially if it tends to be a bit conservative], will eventually be invaded by "moonbats," permanently "plugged-in," in grandma's basement, going from site to site to site with a certain technological savvy, with specific comprehension of the daily secular liberal progressive "talking points," that tend to drive patriotic conservative "Constitutionalists," into a zone that is far beyond the normal sanity of reason, become "unhinged," and play right - uh "left," right into the hands of Lucifer; with language that, although mostly fully instigated, should NEVER appear on ANY "site." God works in mysterious ways.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

I, for one, sorely regret your absence on the forum, 9th Marines. You always seemed calm and reasonable in your comments. Thank you for this post, although it will be rebuked by the same type posters to which you referred.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Unfortunately, Robmull, although you are certainly right in your accusations towards some liberal or progressive posters, you fail to recognize that "moonbats" from both sides of the ideological spectrum invade sites such as OPP. Everything you posted here could be said equally of some conservative/right-wing posters.

THUNDERBOLT

I rest my case...
THUNDERBOLT

PawneeCounty Loc: Oklahoma USA

I have stressed this point as well. I always try a well thought out rebuttal or start post with a nimble statement. I too get tired of the name calling and foul language that fits the jejune more so than the mature psyche. I have mentioned this to the mods but to no avail I just get the, "we are working to stop it reply". So like you I just float on past some of the replies.

kburns50

When some one drops a F' Bomb and the like on a thread I can no longer view that thread (firewall). I wish people would just abbreviate their emotional wording. And No... I'm not altering the firewall.... Thanks for the thought though....

buffalo Loc: Texas

So if they abbrvted their emotn'l wording it wouldn't offend you bc you wouldn't know the word nor its meaning? Rgt?

kburns50

The "abbreviations" would allow me to keep getting on to the thread. I've got a stronger constitution than that to get offended by the words. I'm not really sure what the fuck you're talking about.....

PawneeCounty Loc: Oklahoma USA

This just goes to show how an otherwise casual conversation can turn juvenile. There shouldn't be a abbreviation needed just avoid using certain language. You can say, what in the world, instead of, what the (insert word) it is just plain courtesy for those who don't care for vulgarity. Myself I cuss with the best of them when h*****g out with friends. In a public forum it just shows a lack of class and respect for others.

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

What you posit would, at first reading, appear balanced and rational and there was a time in my own life when the great majority of Americans would heartily agree with your rationale.That is no longer the case because it is no longer true. There was a time when Americans held varying opinions on a multitude of subjects but what they held in common were the same values, morals, spirituality, respect and love of country, ambition, a common sense of justice and those things which were tolerable and intolerable. Today, moral relativism is waring against moral absolutes and no nation, or society, that ever adopted moral relativism ever lasted. Simply stated there is a war against good and evil today and even the rhetoric is not pretty because there is no room for compromise.