Do we really have to behave like this?

I know it's now become a corny old worn out cliche like the "Golden Rule" has become and we've all heard it a hundred times before. But it still applies to what we write and what we read on this discussion forum: Why can't we disagree without being SO disagreeable.
And yes I meant to say "we" and not "you". So I'll use myself as the first example.

I started that thread about the congressman and his abortion ideas yesterday. And where I became so disagreeable in that discussion is when I said everyone who has a different opinion than me are just a bunch of "sheeple".
What a stupid thing to say. All that does is create bad feelings and accomplishes nothing else. If you disagree with me, that doesn't make you "sheeple" or any other insulting name, you just disagree with me is all.
I should have given my opinions and my ideas without finding the need to insult you.

And then that thread, like so many here, became another exercise in name-calling. And as the thread wore on, the name-calling and the insulting each other became worse and worse.

I can't change the behaviour of anyone here except myself. But from now on I'm going to try to avoid this with my posts. It's just childish.

Bob wrote:I know it's now become a corny old worn out cliche like the "Golden Rule" has become and we've all heard it a hundred times before. But it still applies to what we write and what we read on this discussion forum: Why can't we disagree without being SO disagreeable.
And yes I meant to say "we" and not "you". So I'll use myself as the first example.

I started that thread about the congressman and his abortion ideas yesterday. And where I became so disagreeable in that discussion is when I said everyone who has a different opinion than me are just a bunch of "sheeple".
What a stupid thing to say. All that does is create bad feelings and accomplishes nothing else. If you disagree with me, that doesn't make you "sheeple" or any other insulting name, you just disagree with me is all.
I should have given my opinions and my ideas without finding the need to insult you.

And then that thread, like so many here, became another exercise in name-calling. And as the thread wore on, the name-calling and the insulting each other became worse and worse.

I can't change the behaviour of anyone here except myself. But from now on I'm going to try to avoid this with my posts. It's just childish.

So instead of sheople the new name calling will be childish ?...Just trying to get YOUR rules for discussion before I hurt any itty bitty feelings.
If people are passionate about something they are going to get tough on those they disagree with. I am glad you are taking steps to curb yourself, forgive us if we don't that's the least you can do.
When I get my feelings hurt I go off lick my wounds and try to learn from the situation.
It's like homosexuality. I have actually moderated my opinion on it. Vortex is the one that changed it though. His matter of fact honesty about his world makes me see that not all people in that lifestyle are in your face over the top parading porn peddlers. Most are just people wanting to find love and companionship. Who the hell am I to say that is wrong when that affects me not at all ?

TEOTWAWKI wrote:
So instead of sheople the new name calling will be childish ?...Just trying to get YOUR rules for discussion before I hurt any itty bitty feelings.
If people are passionate about something they are going to get tough on those they disagree with. I am glad you are taking steps to curb yourself, forgive us if we don't that's the least you can do.
When I get my feelings hurt I go off lick my wounds and try to learn from the situation.
It's like homosexuality. I have actually moderated my opinion on it. Vortex is the one that changed it though. His matter of fact honesty about his world makes me see that not all people in that lifestyle are in your face over the top parading porn peddlers. Most are just people wanting to find love and companionship. Who the hell am I to say that is wrong when that affects me not at all ?

Well you may have a point about my use of the word "childish". But when I apply a word like that also to myself, then I think that takes on a different context than if I apply it only to others.
And yes I agree that that the only behaviour I have any control of is ONLY my own behaviour (I think I said that).

On a different topic, I would be interested in knowing more about who "Vortex" is that "moderated your opinion" about homosexuality. Would you elaborate? Who is Vortex and what did he/she say to influence this?

I think he's talking about Vectorman, Bob.

Yomama wrote:I think he's talking about Vectorman, Bob.

Yeah Vector , I knew it started with a V but hey I just had a birthday and now I am officially a grumpy old man. Besides I like Vortex better....

Bob, Im really trying hard to behave. Ive just about biten my entire tongue off doing so, but I am trying.

Chrissy8 wrote:Bob, Im really trying hard to behave. Ive just about biten my entire tongue off doing so, but I am trying.

They never told us it was gonna be easy but somebody's gotta do it. lol
It's not easy for me either, Chrissy. I like to cuss people out as much as the next person.

Bob wrote:

Chrissy8 wrote:Bob, Im really trying hard to behave. Ive just about biten my entire tongue off doing so, but I am trying.

They never told us it was gonna be easy but somebody's gotta do it. lol
It's not easy for me either, Chrissy. I like to cuss people out as much as the next person.

You smug bass fisherman.

Sunny beach!

TEOTWAWKI wrote:

Bob wrote:I know it's now become a corny old worn out cliche like the "Golden Rule" has become and we've all heard it a hundred times before. But it still applies to what we write and what we read on this discussion forum: Why can't we disagree without being SO disagreeable.
And yes I meant to say "we" and not "you". So I'll use myself as the first example.

I started that thread about the congressman and his abortion ideas yesterday. And where I became so disagreeable in that discussion is when I said everyone who has a different opinion than me are just a bunch of "sheeple".
What a stupid thing to say. All that does is create bad feelings and accomplishes nothing else. If you disagree with me, that doesn't make you "sheeple" or any other insulting name, you just disagree with me is all.
I should have given my opinions and my ideas without finding the need to insult you.

And then that thread, like so many here, became another exercise in name-calling. And as the thread wore on, the name-calling and the insulting each other became worse and worse.

I can't change the behaviour of anyone here except myself. But from now on I'm going to try to avoid this with my posts. It's just childish.

So instead of sheople the new name calling will be childish ?...Just trying to get YOUR rules for discussion before I hurt any itty bitty feelings.
If people are passionate about something they are going to get tough on those they disagree with. I am glad you are taking steps to curb yourself, forgive us if we don't that's the least you can do.
When I get my feelings hurt I go off lick my wounds and try to learn from the situation.
It's like homosexuality. I have actually moderated my opinion on it. Vortex is the one that changed it though. His matter of fact honesty about his world makes me see that not all people in that lifestyle are in your face over the top parading porn peddlers. Most are just people wanting to find love and companionship. Who the hell am I to say that is wrong when that affects me not at all ?

I want to applaud that statement, Teo.

I guess it was wishful thinking on my part that very many others would care about this.
So be it. The majority hath spoken.

othershoe1030 wrote:Not so fast Bob, the day is young. I didn't know there was a closing time for the polls on this!

I try to be civil in my postings and usually succeed. Many times I have written out a super over the top rant and then deleted it before posting. This is cathartic and therapeutic and the delete key helps me to focus on whatever the issue was.

Fortunately, civility does not preclude a person from requiring their opponent from offering facts or more information to support their position.

I like your suggestion and hope it takes root.

My suggestion: rant, delete, rant, delete, repeat as needed, then think, post, think, post, repeat as needed.

Shoe, I have to do that all day long at work. save snarky drafts

I hate that I have to do it on a forum. This is supposed to be my release it all time. But i have tried to tone it down but to be honest with you, I dont know how long it will last. In some ways it doesnt seem as fun. Im just being honest.

othershoe1030 wrote:Not so fast Bob, the day is young. I didn't know there was a closing time for the polls on this!

I try to be civil in my postings and usually succeed. Many times I have written out a super over the top rant and then deleted it before posting.

I do the same thing Othershoe. Yesterday, I wrote AND POSTED a nasty post, then quickly deleted it. I hope it wasn't seen. If it was, I apologize. If it wasn't seen... well... good!

(I'm glad there is no RSS)
-----------------------------------

I get worked up, but get over it. It's water over the dam.

Move along folks. Nothing to see here.

yomama wrote:Not so fast, Bob... I didn't know there was a closing time for the polls on this!

There's not. That was just more of my usual sarcasm.
The insults and name-calling I can give up. But not the sarcasm, that stays. lol

Bob, AKA SmugBastard, AKA ButtMan wrote:

yomama wrote:Not so fast, Bob... I didn't know there was a closing time for the polls on this!

There's not. That was just more of my usual sarcasm.
The insults and name-calling I can give up. But not the sarcasm, that stays. lol

Hey! It was Othershoe that wrote that...

My bad, that last quote should have been attributed to othershoe.

There's so much extra stuff in the posts when I try to quote em that I try to whittle the quotes down but sometimes I get confused with it.

What I have always wondered... was... if one shoe is named Othershoe, what's the "other" shoe called?

othershoe1030 wrote:

I try to be civil in my postings and usually succeed.

But this quote could be attributed to you or Eric either one and I would still agree with it.
I don't remember the time any of the stuff I mentioned in the first post applied to either of you. I know you've both probably been guilty of it at some time but it's so rare that it doesn't even count.
Both of you are role models for all this as far as I'm concerned.

Bob wrote:

othershoe1030 wrote:

I try to be civil in my postings and usually succeed.

But this quote could be attributed to you or Eric either one and I would still agree with it.
I don't remember the time any of the stuff I mentioned in the first post applied to either of you. I know you've both probably been guilty of it at some time but it's so rare that it doesn't even count.
Both of you are role models for all this as far as I'm concerned.

Pick up your feet folks, it's gettin' deep.

I'm just glad bob has a role model. Bob is my role model.

I try to be civil... i guess... i pretty much type what i would say if we were in person. it wouldn't occur to me normally to try to be rude... but little jabs and teases are kinda fun. sometimes i think a little is lost in the translation on a forum...

PkrBum wrote:I try to be civil... i guess... i pretty much type what i would say if we were in person. it wouldn't occur to me normally to try to be rude... but little jabs and teases are kinda fun. sometimes i think a little is lost in the translation on a forum...

I cant think of one time when youve ever been rude in all these years. ever.

Chrissy8 wrote:

PkrBum wrote:I try to be civil

I cant think of one time when youve ever been rude in all these years. ever.

I agree.