The heartaches of political discourse
First, let me say that I am not writing this to offend or scold anyone, so please accept my apologies, in advance, if this post crosses any lines. This is more of a "go ahead and get it off your chest" type of post. Since this is "my house", I am gonna go ahead and say what I want to say and get it all out in the open.
Political differences, for some reason, often seem to bring out the worst in people - myself included. I have seen flame wars break out, time and time again, on the various websites that I visit. It usually occurs primarily on sites that are political in nature. In fact, it is expected on those sites. Unfortunately, political differences can also cause heartache on other sites too. One site has always amazed me at their ability to discuss sensitive subjects without getting personal. I have seen numerous topics discussed - up to and including abortion - without personal attacks, which is pretty rare, as far as the Internet goes. Unfortunately, that changed, recently.
As usual, I was a day late, and a dollar short to the conversation. I generally find myself three or four days behind, always trying to catch up on the threads - which, in turn, means that I lurk more than I participate. As a matter of fact, most of the newer folks wouldn't even know who I am because I seldom get a chance to contribute, but that has never stopped me from reading along and enjoying the conversations after the fact. I have truly enjoyed reading the political conversations of the past several weeks, primarily due to the fact that opposing viewpoints were always laid out with reasonable care, which usually prevented differences in opinion from turning into personal attacks. Unfortunately, things rapidly devolved and got pretty nasty on Labor Day weekend. Lines were crossed and nice people were hurt.
After thinking about it for quite a while, I think what disturbed me the most wasn't the initial situation, because we've all said and done things in life that we probably shouldn't have, especially when dealing with things that we feel very strongly about. The thing that I was most dismayed about was the fact that it got unneccessarily personal - very quickly. Quite honestly, the questionable statements appeared to come out of the blue, and they were directed at someone who has always been cheerful and respectful to others, as far as I have seen. I can't understand why there was a lack of voices speaking out and saying, "Hold on a second, let's slow down and take a breath before this gets out of hand." Some folks tried to change the subject in an effort to cool the situation down, but there were only a couple that actually called the foul. To those that did what they could to calm the situation, I am grateful.
SFP - if you happen to read this - I know that you don't know me, as I have never had the opportunity to interact with you, but I would like you to know that I am grateful that I had the opportunity to observe your political point of view. In today's supercharged political world, it is nice to have the opportunity to gain the perspective of others without all the drama that, so often, goes with the conversation. I am truly sorry for what happened.
It has been said before, but I'm gonna say it again - Can't we all just get along????
Until next time,
-Voice of Reason-
Political differences, for some reason, often seem to bring out the worst in people - myself included. I have seen flame wars break out, time and time again, on the various websites that I visit. It usually occurs primarily on sites that are political in nature. In fact, it is expected on those sites. Unfortunately, political differences can also cause heartache on other sites too. One site has always amazed me at their ability to discuss sensitive subjects without getting personal. I have seen numerous topics discussed - up to and including abortion - without personal attacks, which is pretty rare, as far as the Internet goes. Unfortunately, that changed, recently.
As usual, I was a day late, and a dollar short to the conversation. I generally find myself three or four days behind, always trying to catch up on the threads - which, in turn, means that I lurk more than I participate. As a matter of fact, most of the newer folks wouldn't even know who I am because I seldom get a chance to contribute, but that has never stopped me from reading along and enjoying the conversations after the fact. I have truly enjoyed reading the political conversations of the past several weeks, primarily due to the fact that opposing viewpoints were always laid out with reasonable care, which usually prevented differences in opinion from turning into personal attacks. Unfortunately, things rapidly devolved and got pretty nasty on Labor Day weekend. Lines were crossed and nice people were hurt.
After thinking about it for quite a while, I think what disturbed me the most wasn't the initial situation, because we've all said and done things in life that we probably shouldn't have, especially when dealing with things that we feel very strongly about. The thing that I was most dismayed about was the fact that it got unneccessarily personal - very quickly. Quite honestly, the questionable statements appeared to come out of the blue, and they were directed at someone who has always been cheerful and respectful to others, as far as I have seen. I can't understand why there was a lack of voices speaking out and saying, "Hold on a second, let's slow down and take a breath before this gets out of hand." Some folks tried to change the subject in an effort to cool the situation down, but there were only a couple that actually called the foul. To those that did what they could to calm the situation, I am grateful.
SFP - if you happen to read this - I know that you don't know me, as I have never had the opportunity to interact with you, but I would like you to know that I am grateful that I had the opportunity to observe your political point of view. In today's supercharged political world, it is nice to have the opportunity to gain the perspective of others without all the drama that, so often, goes with the conversation. I am truly sorry for what happened.
It has been said before, but I'm gonna say it again - Can't we all just get along????
Until next time,
-Voice of Reason-
posted by Voice of Reason at
8:37 AM
6 Comments:
It's true we have long missed your participation, Sir, but you have been there in that your fine character and thoughtful contributions helped make the Wheel what it was. You can lurk, but we remember you and miss you. You are thought of often.
I hope life has been treating you well. I worry at your workload but you have shown remarkable drive and stamina. Please take care.
DOH! i knew i was forgetting someone important in my blogroll... all taken care of now.
Hey Mac and Otta,
Thanks for stopping by. It's great to see you.
Mac, life is going okay ... hectic, at times, but I can't complain. I hope you and Little Mouse are also doing well.
Talk to you later.
Just wandered over from the Machinist's place. Also a site where people can disagree and so far, nobody has called me a flaming hippie whacko Republican nutjob.
Oh. I'm not a Republican anymore. Maybe that's why ;)
Peace!
Hi Meadowlark,
Thanks for stopping by.
Mac is a very kind, very wise man.
Hippie, or not, you are always welcome here :-) Truth be told, in an earlier stage in life, I was a long-haired head-bangin' rock-n-roller. I had to cut the hair for the career path I chose, and I had to stop head-bangin' because, well, I'm just gettin' too old. My neck just can't take it any more :-)
I'm actually a gun-shooting, creature-eating, SUV-driving, constitution-believing former Marine. And until this year, a die-hard Republican.
Now I don't really know who I am. Which makes Husband and his friends (the M4 doorknocker crowd) call me a hippie. Well, that and maybe the gardening and nose piercings. And the braids. I suppose the nose rings don't help. And there was that poetry thing I dragged him to... um, yeah.
;)
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home