Let's face it ... why are we participating in this forum ?? What brings us here?

Frankly, I don't come here to get my cars oil changed, see MLM presentations, get retirement planning advise, medical diagnoses, hear religious discourses or political diatribes.

But, like a moth to a flame or gawkers to the scene of a gruesome accident, I open some of the threads on this board anyway, just to see why so many responses are being made, to see what the big deal is ... and I most often wish I'd resisted the impulse ...

You know, it's interesting ... I've been in the personal company of any number of the guys in this forum and have had private e-mail correspondence with many, many of the others ... and SOMEHOW, controversial topics almost NEVER come up and when they DO, they're VERY lightly touched upon ... out of personal respect for the other person ...

Not once, NOT ONCE in the many herfs I've gone to, NOT ONCE in the bull sessions I've sat through in local stores, chatting with other BOTLs as we relaxed with a good cigar ... NOT ONCE has a subject as volatile as some seen on this board recently been argued over ...

So ... why the hell are we doing that here ??????????????

What is it about the anonymity of the Internet that makes us think it's OK to say something to another guy that none of us would EVER say in person ??? Why ... WHY is it that some among us seem to be the sort who'd take a stick and risk being stung in order to poke a hornet's nest, just to watch the reaction of the bees???

I'm never gonna make another appeal to you guys (and I just HATE sounding like RMN telling the press they'd not have ****** Nixon to kick around any more) ... I'm asking ... no, I'm CHALLENGING everyone here to interact with all the others as though we were all herfing in person ...

While volatile subjects such as religion and politics SHOULD be avoided, it doesn't really matter much what the topics are ... what matters is how we interact with one another ... humor's good, teasing is OK, but civility is REQUIRED

Religion

Politics

Homosexuality

Abortion

Freedom of Speach, Guns, etc.

Talk among yourselves...

BTW, yes some people need to take a Chill Pill

Can't we all just get along?

Why can't we be friends?

Love makes the world go 'round

War, what is it good for

Say a little prayer

It's a small world after all

Peace out:-)

What RDC and SteveS said. X

Bravo Steve!

Peace Out

BD

Well said Steve, as usual

Man, just like a Democrat to whine like that......

I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. I agree 100%.

Maybe the reason some people come here is that those topics are discussed here but nowhere else. I usually learn something from the political/religious/etc. type threads.

Some people put political or religious in the thread title so if that isn't your cup of tea don't read it.

Way back when there were a lot of anti French posts here. Seeing as that some of my family and friends are French and French decent I took issue with this. I wish I would have saved the e-mail you sent me Steve but it basically went like this:

We want to have an open forum here and don't want to censor what people post. If these threads offend you don't read them.

I don't mean to be cause waves but with all due respect Steve perhaps you should practice what you preach. I don't mean to sound harsh or be a jerk but this IS an open forum. I thought that meant open to all topics.

I agree with plabonte, and as should be.. posted as to the topic and others who this offends or feel offended by the topic don't bother to read it and especially comment on it...other then to stir **** or as they say keept the pot boiling...

my .02 cents worth...

Hog

BTW Hello All!!!!

Apparently my ultimate point was lost ... so, at the risk of being repetitious ... here again is the last, and to my mind the most important, line of what I wrote ...

-----------------------------------------------------

"While volatile subjects such as religion and politics SHOULD be avoided, it doesn't really matter much what the topics are ...

what matters is how we interact with one another ... humor's good, teasing is OK, but CIVILITY is REQUIRED"

------------------------------------------------------

That's my 2¢ worth and I'm stickin' with it

SteveS I also agree with your statements.. but Plabonte had a valid point...

"what matters is how we interact with one another ... humor's good, teasing is OK, but CIVILITY is REQUIRED"

it's easy to be Armchair Generals!!!!

Hog

Hey Russell,

Great to see your post.

Later

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

P.S. I like the discussions, including the volital subject matter. believe, that if each poster posted what they would say, to each other if we were all in the same room with each other, it would be better. I sit at my local tobacconist, and visit with a number of his customers, many times about politics. Every now and then someone gets their feathers ruffled, but we always part on friendly terms. I try and post nothing, I wouldn't say, in that setting. I don't always succeed, but I sure as hell try.

Good to see you back Hog, and I hope the short leave did you well.

What Steve said is so true and luckily I have learned from other forums, chats, internet BS, that you need to take control of your own actions and replys. Stand up and be a man (or women) that one would like to respect. I know respect can be a hard thing to find on the internet at time, heheheheee. In other words I've learned not to even open up a thread that might push your buttons. Yes it is hard, but feasible to learn how react if someone does push your buttons.

Anyways, as stated above ^ ^ ^ ^ Why can't we just get along!!!

NOF

I got you Steve. I agree with that. The problem is that when you talk with someone in person you can infer a lot from their tone, facial expression, body stance, etc. That is all lost here. I may post something as a joke but someone reads it and takes it seriously. Can't tell you how many times I've seen that on this board.

So yes we should be consious of what we post. But I think its even more important to be mindful of how you read what others write.

All good points. We must remain adult and civil. Have some forthought as to what we are posting and if a subject does arise that my be controversial be willing to accept a conflicting opinion for what it is, an opinion.

Hey, have you heard this one...

A Rabbi, a Liberal, a Priest, a Conservative, an Athiest and Satan go into the gay abortion clinic smokin doobies and carrying AK47's...

Oh wait...um nevermind.

Once again I agree with Steve on what his intentions (sp) were. and to KNOF "BITE ME" and I can say that to your face while I typed this.

SteveS

anonimity, not really, we know who we are, every one recognizes my posts, the writing in crayon gives it away.

personally i like both the one on one emails or sitting with a buddy and shooting the breeze about nothing, but the thrill of the argument, the name calling, the attempt to reduce someone to a cliche, the foul language, the hatred, and the love, that's for me.

as for civility, i agree, but it ain't gona happen.

I enjoy enlightened civil discourse on any subject. I see no problem with discussing politics or religion, as long the discussion remains civil and insult free. This is a miscellaneous forum and by definition deals with diverse subjects.

The problem at Cbid forum is no different from any other forum; many of the most opinionated posters are the least open to opinions which may be different from their own. When they are challenged to support their posts with facts, they flame the person when they are unable to support their statements.

It happens everywhere...sometimes blatant, sometimes quite subtle.

Hey BDS, sit back down and get to work!!!

ROFLMCAO!

Wait, I want to hear the rest of the joke