I am HAPPY on OHIO today.
 Tea anyone?  |
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Our friends list and those we send christmas cards to would be cut in half if they ever opened a political board.  |
Politics and religion - private matter in our house!  |
Joahaeyo wrote: Our friends list and those we send christmas cards to would be cut in half if they ever opened a political board. Funny you say that. I was "defriended" by two on FB today. These two are die hard to the left, and were so mad at my comments, they defriended me. I about wet my pants laughing, because the two of them have been posting since July about this election, and their views. And I have not once made rude comments about any candidates or policy. Just happy for the GOP in the Buckeye state. Come on guys, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing ( I hope). A strong, moral, safe AMERICA. We just don't see eye to eye on how to get back there!!! And isn't that part of our rights-- can't we agree to disagree and still be friends. My political views are just a small part of what I am as a person. LOL. |
got sheep wrote: Politics and religion - private matter in our house! You guys know me well enough by now to know I am a big mouth. |
Abuckie wrote: Joahaeyo wrote: Our friends list and those we send christmas cards to would be cut in half if they ever opened a political board. Funny you say that. I was "defriended" by two on FB today. These two are die hard to the left, and were so mad at my comments, they defriended me. I about wet my pants laughing, because the two of them have been posting since July about this election, and their views. And I have not once made rude comments about any candidates or policy. Just happy for the GOP in the Buckeye state. Come on guys, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing ( I hope). A strong, moral, safe AMERICA. We just don't see eye to eye on how to get back there!!! And isn't that part of our rights-- can't we agree to disagree and still be friends. My political views are just a small part of what I am as a person. LOL. I feel the same way about those who have stopped talking to me due to political topics. I'm totally okay with someone having the opposite view as myself [and I have several friends who do], and thankfully those currently on my list are okay with me having my own. I just ignore their posts sharing their thoughts because it's THEIR opinion. Doesn't bother me. If they ask for OTHER opinions ...that's different but that's rare. I don't believe you should open a can of worms unless you're ready to handle what comes out. |
Abuckie wrote: got sheep wrote: Politics and religion - private matter in our house! You guys know me well enough by now to know I am a big mouth. Don't worry, I won't defriend you!  ...now my cousin and his wife in Chicago, who post ENDLESSLY on fb mixing both politics and bible scripture...they are getting VERY close! |
| Funny Lori. Typical, their side is the only correct side. New Mexico elected a Republican female governor.....now we have 2 Repub bitches on the border with Mexico.........working on Texas and Calif. |
| I am extremely hesitant to wade into any political discussion, but please accept my disclaimer that 1) I am an outsider and 2) I am not choosing either side in this election. Just a couple of 3rd party observations/opinions: 1) If you go through wikipedia and look at American election history, during an economic hard times, the party in power almost always loses during an election. i.e. if there was a republican president and congress this election, it would have been republicans who lost huge. 2) It's very easy to criticize, it's very easy to take apart, it's very hard to build and solve problems. I haven't seen anything concrete from either side which, or really, much focus from either side on how to get America out of its economic doldrums. But, related to 1) above, it's easy to point to the guy in charge and say "it's his fault, vote for me". 3) The disheartening thing in my view, is that neither side gives a damn about the "people", both repubs and dems seem to care a lot more, and cater to, rich and powerful corporations and banks, and well-funded lobbies. Whether dems or repubs, it seems just like government by the rich, for the rich. ALL politicians in Washington are elite and elitist, regardless of how down-to-earth they try to advertise themselves as. And they are elite now, whether they were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, or a mixed-race child of a single mom. They are all so far removed from the day-to-day of most Americans. 4) I believe that ALL politicians are unethical, and lie most of the time (true for all nations, levels of government). Maybe the super rare exception is like Ghandi or Nelson Mandela, and they are indeed, super rare. 5) I think the current state of American politics is that sadly, every election seems like a lose-lose proposition for Americans now. I certainly don't have any solutions either! But what's bad for America tends to be bad for the rest of the world too. So I'm not pleased with America being down. |
| I respect everyone's opinions also, but must say I am very happy in PA today as well! |
Jancyp wrote: I respect everyone's opinions also, but must say I am very happy in PA today as well!  |
| One of my favorite things about this forum is that we stay away from politics. Laurie |
Oscar's Mom wrote: One of my favorite things about this forum is that we stay away from politics. Laurie Sorry Laurie. There has been so little conversation on here for so long, thought I might be able to get people motivated again to chat. Politics always seems to do that... and sheepdogs. |
| I agree with Laurie. |
Abuckie wrote: Oscar's Mom wrote: One of my favorite things about this forum is that we stay away from politics. Laurie Sorry Laurie. There has been so little conversation on here for so long, thought I might be able to get people motivated again to chat. Politics always seems to do that... and sheepdogs. Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought that was what the Food For Thought section was for. |
| Lori, I understand. It's just that there is so much anger and divisiveness in the political arena these days, that it is difficult to keep discussions about it both civil and productive. I have to navigate around it in all other areas of my life. It has always been refreshing that I don't have to do that here, on this forum. That's all I'm saying. Laurie |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Lori, I understand. It's just that there is so much anger and divisiveness in the political arena these days, that it is difficult to keep discussions about it both civil and productive. I have to navigate around it in all other areas of my life. It has always been refreshing that I don't have to do that here, on this forum. That's all I'm saying. Laurie I guess I didn't realize politics was tabue. I remember very lengthy discussions during the presidential campaign on this forum. I will refrain from here on, because the last thing this forum needs is more members who won't join in any more. |
| Lori, I like you and respect you. As far as politics go, I am just speaking for me on this forum, so others may feel differently, and not think this subject is taboo at all. Having been previously sucked into political discussions, I just didn't want the negativity that sometimes accompanies it to intrude on our little island of sheepdog paradise.  Others may not mind at all, so I will just step aside and let you folks have at it. And that's all I have to say about that......... Laurie |
| Not that it is at all comparable, but in our recent municipal elections (hardly at the same level as leading a huge country, of course), I voted for the candidate who volunteered at the local humane society, had an always full bowl of fresh water outside her campaign office, loved off-leash parks, and took a year off of her job (and she was high up in private industry when she did that) to go volunteer in Ethiopia. All this blabbering to say that my vote was won by her love of dogs, not by her politics. Oh how my life has changed!! |
| Politics is such a sore subject nowadays. Most non-news and non-political forums ban political threads because they always devolve into arguments. BTW, David has the right line of reasoning. |
| I have given this post much thought, and, while I wish I didn't have the need to speak further about this, in reality, I do. I looked back through old posts, and just as I thought, there are many in General Chit Chat discussing politics. During the last presidential campaign , several posts hit that area of the forum, and many replied and contributed. I re- read, and most were respectful of others and their views. Many were in depth analysis ,with point and counter point comments. This post is far from negative, opinionated, or, for that matter, anything of any substance. A simple WOO-HOO for the GOP in Ohio. NO candiates names have been mentioned, and I tried to be whimsical and light. I will take the hand slapping for choosing the wrong catagory... but , If members or guests don't want to discuss, or become a part of a thread, then why even look beyond the content? And certainly, don't add a comment or blurb that is embarrasing to the original poster. When I first joined this forum IT WAS FUN. People posted about their pets, but beyond that, we learned about families, births of babies, moves, new housing, thefts of purses...and yes, we discussed politics when appropriate. That is what gave us insight , and helped us get know each other. So much so that we share cards during the holiday season, times of illness or other life events. It pains me to say this, but this forum is no longer fun. Very few of us post, and very few comment when new posts are made. If people are only interested in talking about sheepies, ( and I respect that view point) then the other catagories should be removed. When I started this post, I knew some wouldn't be interested-- and that was OK. However, my main objective was to start dialogue and interaction of some kind. If you are one of those not interested , then move on to another topic. I try to be respectful, however, I am not much for weighing my every word. I'm not even sure how to end this post. It saddens me that we no longer chit chat, because no one invited seems to want to come to the the tea party. |
| Wow. It was not my intent to embarrass anyone. I like the fact that this forum is about what unites us, sheepdogs, rather than what may divide us. Laurie |
| I used to have no problem getting into political discussions. But I don't nowadays because it really doesn't lead anywhere. They're too draining and aggrivating. Lori, You, as someone who leans right (I assume due to your original post), will NEVER be able to convince me the republican/conservative/liberatarian ideology is the right one for this country to follow. Nor will I ever be able to convince you that the moderate, balanced positions are the proper ones (I would never believe you'd even want to hear the democrat ideology). So what does that get us? It gets us a heated argument where neither of us learns something about the other side, or see something in a different light. It just leads to fights and bad feelings and the loss of a friendship. I'd rather keep someone as a friend and not know their political leanings rather than get into a political discussion and lose a friend. A political discussion is just not worth the potential loss of a friend. |
| But the thing is... political threads are allowed whether many people want them or not. So from there, it's up to the poster to join in politely or just ignore the thread. That's not even meant in a mean way because I totally understand the other side ...but I have also seen many people in the past fine with threads that were toward their political leanings but then against it when it's leaning the other way. I say ignore it or voice your concerns with the administrator in hopes he gets rid of the thread or topics like this all together? |
| Very well put Mark. |
Joahaeyo wrote: ...but I have also seen many people in the past fine with threads that were toward their political leanings but then against it when it's leaning the other way. I say ignore it or voice your concerns with the administrator in hopes he gets rid of the thread or topics like this all together? Then the thing to do is have Ron officially ban political (and religious) threads. |
CamVal1 wrote: Politics is such a sore subject nowadays. Most non-news and non-political forums ban political threads because they always devolve into arguments. And you know, it doesn't help when the opposition tries to inflame the other side by calling them such things as "tea-baggers" and "fascists". Some forums can actually discuss politics without slinging the mud that tends to occur here. |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: And you know, it doesn't help when the opposition tries to inflame the other side by calling them such things as "tea-baggers" and "fascists". Some forums can actually discuss politics without slinging the mud that tends to occur here. And that proves my point. Exactly why political discussions should be banned. |
CamVal1 wrote: Maggie McGee IV wrote: And you know, it doesn't help when the opposition tries to inflame the other side by calling them such things as "tea-baggers" and "fascists". Some forums can actually discuss politics without slinging the mud that tends to occur here. And that proves my point. Exactly why political discussions should be banned. but you were the one doing the name calling... |
| Well folks, I regret posting on this thread, as I certainly didn't intend for this to become a "thing". Merely thought I was posting my opinion. Sorry for the controversy. Laurie |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: but you were the one doing the name calling... Doesn't matter who was doing the name calling. That's what these threads devolve into. Political & religious topics don't belong on non-news or non-political forums. |
CamVal1 wrote: Maggie McGee IV wrote: but you were the one doing the name calling... Doesn't matter who was doing the name calling. That's what these threads devolve into. Political & religious topics don't belong on non-news or non-political forums. Then Ron should remove all topics unrelated to Sheepdogs. Food forThought and What does it mean leaves the door open for discussion beyond our Sheepies. For that matter, so does General Chit Chat. I still hold that discussions like this can be positive, given that everyone refrain from mud slinging, name calling, and being down right rude. Don't read or comment if you don't want to get into a political discussion. And again, this started out as a light hearted yahoo for Ohio. I did not call anyone names, nor would I ever do that. It's funny, but as I read the comments, the ones that want to "refrain" are the ones being the most vocal. |
Joahaeyo wrote: But the thing is... political threads are allowed whether many people want them or not. So from there, it's up to the poster to join in politely or just ignore the thread. That's not even meant in a mean way because I totally understand the other side ...but I have also seen many people in the past fine with threads that were toward their political leanings but then against it when it's leaning the other way. I say ignore it or voice your concerns with the administrator in hopes he gets rid of the thread or topics like this all together? Thank you. |
| I really appreciate that my attempts at explanation and my apology have gone unremarked upon. I'm done explaining. I'm done apologizing. I'm out. Laurie |
| I tried not to comment on this...I read this thread about 45 minutes ago, and I have come back to it because it is just too painful for me to keep my mouth shut (I think it's the Italian in me). What is so disappointing to me is that this original poster was just stating her opinion peacefully, we have become such a society that no one is allowed to say their opinion anymore (with respect of course) without a serious backlash. It is sad to me that everyone has to walk on tiptoes anymore for fear of offending someone. I hear someone sneeze and I feel like I should second guess if I should say "God Bless You" for fear someone will have an issue with it. I agree that this forum is for sheepdog lovers, I am one of them. That doesn't make me blind or disinterested in what goes on in the world around me. With due respect to all, instead of wiping out politics altogether, why don't you just make two more subject headings, one for the red, and one for the blue? No one should EVER enter the side that is not their color--then everyone can live in harmony again :) We are all grown ups, after all |
| A few things: First of all, it is entirely possible to decide not to read a thread or an entire section of the forum. I find that there are sections I never/rarely visit simply because I don't. I don't have a lot of extra time these days and I can be pretty picky about what I will/will not read on the internet. And no one is compelled to read the post of any particular poster. No one is forcing anyone to read this thread or to comment on it. I see no reason to ban political threads. After all, where would we draw the line? Just skip what you find irritating or offensive. Secondly, I don't see any serious name calling or serious instances of incivility. Caveat: I find I have a relatively high tolerance for disagreement and conflict. I actually see a lot of benefit for disagreement and conflict. That said, I absented myself from the forum for a pretty long time because of a political discussion. I felt I was being insulted and I really didn't much feel like sticking around. And at the time, also found I wasn't good at my first suggestion: just ignoring what I found irritating. So I left for a while. I didn't feel that anyone else needed to curtail anything they were doing. I just worked on me. Quote: Come on guys, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing ( I hope). A strong, moral, safe AMERICA. We just don't see eye to eye on how to get back there!!! And isn't that part of our rights-- can't we agree to disagree and still be friends. My political views are just a small part of what I am as a person. LOL. You see, I think you and I would strongly disagree about what those words I bolded in the above quote mean. For myself, I want an America that is just and free, which is from where I believe our nation derives its strength. I also am pretty sure that we'd disagree about what 'just' and 'free' mean, and their relative importance. Which is fine. We must learn, as a nation, to tolerate views that differ from our own and to listen to and hear and exchange ideas that may be different from our own. |
| No one is removing any threads unrelated to sheepdogs. Every shut up and stop it. Seriously. If you don't wish to get into a political discussion, then please don't read it. Same goes for religion. People will always have opposing viewpoints so there will always be friction-- not to mention some people may be misinformed, further confusing and inflaming people and then it becomes a vicious circle of fighting over nothing. If you don't think you can get involved without name calling, say nothing and move on to another topic area that you know won't cause you to get agitated. It is absolutely insane that, as adults, we cannot have "adult" conversations without punishing the whole class. And don't think I won't turn this car around, kids. I do apologize for not moving the thread to this area faster-- I didn't realize what it was. I think everyone should be welcome to post as they wish but if you do plan to post something on a controversial topic like politics, race or religion, etc., just try to remember to put it here so we can keep the members that don't want to be involved kind of shielded. I realize it's hard to not get involved in something that you strongly disagree with-- and any of you who know me know that I always have something to say. If I can do it, so can you. |
| I think it may be easier for us to discuss politics when A) the economy is stronger Or B) the election isn't quite so near Or both. Or never. Who knows. |
| If we wait for an 'easier' time, we won't have any of the important discussions in life that we should have. I would argue that it is when things are difficult that it is most important to have uncomfortable or contentious conversations. |
| There are tons of places on the web where people can yell past each other. I have always hoped that this place could always be about people learning things from one another, but in the present emotional environment it is obvious to me that it is not possible to maintain civility in this type of medium. |
Completely agree, Ron.  |
| I don't get many opportunities to scold everyone in bold and red type though. And, for that, I thank you.  |
ButtersStotch wrote: I don't get many opportunities to scold everyone in bold and red type though. And, for that, I thank you. Glad to help. Oh and after all of this, I realize my post is entitled "I am HAPPY on OHIO" instead of "in OHIO. Rebel who can't proof read. ((sigh))) |
| ...and believe me, it saddens me no end and weighs heavily on my mind constantly. I just have to come to the conclusion that no matter how hard I try and how many times I beg, plead and cajole many folks just will not be civil. Some realize they are being nasty and don't care, some just can't control themselves in the heat of the discussion and others just have no clue that they are being confrontational, acerbic or otherwise discourteous. |
Yeah it is sad  But if it's what is best than good. |
| Please don't eliminate political discussions in the "Food for Thought" category. I think it's the perfect place to put those type of touchy subjects. I hope I'm not in the minority, but I do think it's okay to have the freedom here to say what's on your mind, even though it may be a little controversial. It is our choice if we want to read them or not. Maybe the subject line in that category should be prefaced with a hint about what the topic is about. Ie., POLITICS: I am Happy in Ohio Today. RELIGION: Please respect an individual's own beliefs That way people can see right away what the subject is about before they venture into the thread... |
VerveUp wrote: Please don't eliminate political discussions in the "Food for Thought" category. I think it's the perfect place to put those type of touchy subjects. I hope I'm not in the minority, but I do think it's okay to have the freedom here to say what's on your mind, even though it may be a little controversial. It is our choice if we want to read them or not. Maybe the subject line in that category should be prefaced with a hint about what the topic is about. Ie., POLITICS: I am Happy in Ohio Today. RELIGION: Please respect an individual's own beliefs That way people can see right away what the subject is about before they venture into the thread... THAT is a perfect suggestion!!! I wish I would have thought of that From now on, I will make sure to give a hint! |
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