What do you think about this forum?

[hehehhehe]

LOL what did I say about touchiness and lightening up? (We shouldn't allow our insecurities to create more opportnities for a flamefest.) As far as what I said, it's just a general impression. No one to name or insult, sorry...

Let's calm down and let this thread continue without the antagonism (did I call it or what?), shall we?

[Grisu]

Phunkie,

I agree with your statement that what is posted in this thread is a mere mirror of the world we live in. Unfortunately there aren't too many positive things out there right now so positivity can't be forced.

As far as flames go, I am sure that almost every single person here is taking part in and has been flamed. That is the nature of online forums... Nazi actions of censorship are the death of any free forum and I know that if my posts are edited and or deleted for a perceived "flame", I would leave (and so would probably quite a few others). Not because of the action but rather for the idea of censorship in a political arena... Hypedave's pouting "I won't return until I am accepted" is just showing how criticism and/or flames are taken. If you are not man/woman enough to handle it, you'll move on to another cyber place where you are among evenly thinking people anyways and just blow the same horn over and over... Right now this seems a fairly liberal crowd, hence the lack of wastely differing oppinions...

In my oppinion, the forum is good, we all have our oppinions about different items, WMD's, terrorism, the damned Iraq war and the lousy economy. Unfortunatly there isn't much left when you take everey day bad news, the lousy economic outlook and following personal dismay resulting from it.

Personally, I can't find squat good about the current affairs in my country of origin (Germany) or the current political situation in the country I chose to live in (USA). I am fed up with people blaming Al Quaida for everything, justify injustices with "protecting the Homeland" and as a result law abiding citizens and legal aliens have to pay the price for it. I am tired that I have to listen to blacks and mexicans claiming that they are being discriminated against, I am white and get the same treatment, but don't have a LULAC or some community activist raising hell because I got shit on. Take it, deal with it and do what you have to do.

Ok I am rambling and will now shut up....

[hehehhehe]

Originally Posted by Grisu

...and as a result law abiding citizens and legal aliens have to pay the price for it. I am tired that I have to listen to blacks and mexicans claiming that they are being discriminated against, I am white and get the same treatment, but don't have a LULAC or some community activist raising hell because I got shit on.

How about expanding a bit more on this in a new thread?

[hypedave]

Originally Posted by Grisu

...and as a result law abiding citizens and legal aliens have to pay the price for it. I am tired that I have to listen to blacks and mexicans claiming that they are being discriminated against, I am white and get the same treatment, but don't have a LULAC or some community activist raising hell because I got shit on.

.

Welcome to America, I was layed off cause my job got shipped to an immigrant and I had to train the asshole, guess what else. Unless you've been in America all your life then I would consider you white, but guess what immigrants fall under the Class minority so wake and smell the minority roses.

sorry had to get that shit off my chest, pisses me the f*** off to see immigrants jump boat or however else they get over here and think everything is supposed to be handed to their ass.

[hehehhehe]

Wow... this thread's getting kind of ugly too.

[Ranger]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan1970

I haven't posted in several weeks because of one such individual.

Heh. That would be me, I imagine.

I suppose it all depends upon what you're actually looking for to begin with, insofar as sampling other's viewpoints and opinions goes. If it's only fastidiously polite, politically correct smalltalk about matters of no real consequence that you seek, then you would probably be better off joining your local "Ladies Sewing Circle", perhaps.

If it's genuine, frank, honest, candid personal opinions and viewpoints on political and religious subjects that you seek, and if you're not so thin-skinned or hypersensitive about personal criticism that it interferes with your ability to tolerate being exposed the opposing viewpoints of others (as they relate to your own stated views or opinions) then this place is great.

The internet is chock full of lame, heavily-moderated and overly censored forums. They're a dime a dozen, and as boring as watching paint dry. What made the SR P&R Forum so interesting was the "Star Wars Cantina" atmosphere of the place. Flames and personal jabs were a regular part of the give and take there, and they contributed a great deal to the overall atmosphere and appeal of the place for most of us, I think. It wasn't always pleasant to be on the receiving end, necessarily, but it was definitely always intense, genuine and enlightening.

I always felt that I got a much better picture of (and feel for) opposing viewpoints when the full intensity and personal passion of the person presenting them was also an integral part of the exchange itself. It told me a lot about the nature of the person who's posts I was reading. It helped me to understand the underlying emotional basis (if one existed) of their attitude or opinion. It illuminated the real, living human being behind the point of view.

Matters of any real consequence are, of course, always emotionally charged issues to begin with. Political and religious issues in particular are extremely charged, emotionally, by their very nature. I don't think that we do ourselves any real favor by "filtering" out all the heartfelt emotion or passion from each and every exchange, either by doing so volunarily or via outright censorship. If you really wanted only dispassionate "emotionally neutral" views presented to you for your consideration then stick to reading the newspapers or watching TV.

In other words, I much prefer conversing with people that speak their minds freely, without holding anything back. And I also think that if certain people can't take the heat then they should probably just stay out of the kitchen.

This forum is small right now, but give it time. Even on SR it took some time to grow. If the atmosphere here remains conducive to lively exchanges of views it will attract and hold new visitors who come to look, and decide to stay.

.

[Startup]

@ Ranger - I could not agree with you more. Just as protectionism stifles a market economy (as fatboy likes to tell me), censorship stifles the marketplace of ideas.

I think a person who attacks another personally does more damage to his or her credibility than the credibility of the target of the attack.

[hypedave]

Originally Posted by Startup

I think a person who attacks another personally does more damage to his or her credibility than the credibility of the target of the attack.

AMEN Brother

[Phunkie]

Originally Posted by hehehhehe

LOL what did I say about touchiness and lightening up? (We shouldn't allow our insecurities to create more opportnities for a flamefest.) As far as what I said, it's just a general impression. No one to name or insult, sorry...

Let's calm down and let this thread continue without the antagonism (did I call it or what?), shall we?

It's ok. I'm not insulted, I just thought someone might be. Let's all lighten up. :beer:

I don't know how you see so much antagonism here? I don't see it. Like Ranger said, there's some flaming because of the issues discussed and the strong conflicting opinions. But you make this forum sound a lot worse than it is. Arguments concerning the topics in this forum are only expected to get heated. That's part of the game, and the fun also.

Btw, I don't understand how could you find me touchy or insecure on the basis of that post? How can one even be insecure about talking to some people in an internet forum? :confused:

I agree with Startup, Grisu, Ranger, myself and all you other likeminded about the cencorship in here. I think there hasn't really been a real need for it. I'm sure Startup or bob_m will intervene if the going gets too messy.

And I wouldn't be too worried about the relatively small amount of members. I don't know if others have noticed it but this forum is getting more members all the time. This forum's been up for only about two months or so, right? And still we got a pretty active discussion going on. So if we wait for, let's say 6 months, I believe the amount of members (hopefully also the active ones) have doubled.

[hehehhehe]

I also agree that censorship is never good. Hell, I even said I have nothing against the New Black Panthers while some of you already consider it a criminal org.

While I do agree about censorship with most of you, I also think there's a difference between speaking your mind and flaming for flaming's sakes. Some of the flames don't just seem to come from disagreement, but rather personal dislike. (I trust I don't have to name some of the conflicts we've seen) I say lighten up, and don't let anger from one thread carry to another. I have no problems arguing with someone in one thread and agreeing with them in another. Swap a few messages before you start flaming so it at least seems like you're being objective LOL.

Like I said, I try to be polite and hold back often when I could have a little fun with someone but I guess I'll stop doing that just to see (although I hope to avoid those personal attacks we see sometimes). Maybe it will serve as entertainment and I don't want to have to join the sewing club.

Originally Posted by Phunkie

I don't know how you see so much antagonism here? I don't see it.

Don't know if you mean me when you say "you" but pretty much every person in this thread has noted the antagonism (personal attacks, etc..), even those you agree with.

If you meant just in that one post, than I was referring to this:

Originally Posted by Phunkie

And since you talked about antagonism, flaming and the overall negativity in here, your innuendos about unnamed members being boring, flaming others or not answering any questions don't help much. If you want to bad mouth a member, then please address him so he can reply.

Aren't you *kind of* antagonizing? And that's why I referred to insecurity - perhaps you thought I was talking about you and got offended. That's what insecurity means in this case. Anyway, just drop it, no harm done .