Current issues

Camper6 said:
I think we should be able to discuss current issues but as soon as someone makes a personal comment it should be deleted.
Without being able to discuss current issues the forum loses its flavour.
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As someone who has been a forum moderator for a fairly large forum, I can say that it really gets old having to cleanup after posters who can't follow the forum rules. Usually moderators are volunteers giving up their own time to help keep the forum from turning into a free-for-all. No moderator has time to read every single post to the forum every day just to babysit and "delete personal comments as soon as they are made."

It is not unusual for forums to have strict rules against personal attacks, politics, guns, and religious discussion. Those are typically hot-button topics that cause flaming wars and a lot of disgruntled posters.

Where is personal responsibility? People need to accept the forum rules and follow them, or realize that their posts might be removed and the thread locked. This forum is provided without cost to us, but someone has to give their time and money to make it happen. As far as I can tell there is no problem posting about current issues as long as politics is left out of the discussion.
 
1) I wish that all threads debating existing laws or proposed legislation be considered political (which they are) and be banned.

2) I wish that all posters in racial threads were required to post their race. Additionally, all races should be subject to attack, not just Whites.
 

Camper6 said:
I think we should be able to discuss current issues but as soon as someone makes a personal comment it should be deleted.
Without being able to discuss current issues the forum loses its flavour.
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It is my policy to ignore personal comments that seemed to be aimed at myself. For one thing, I may be mistaken and reading too much into a post. On the other hand, even if the barb is directed directly at my head, why should I worry about what a stranger on the internet thinks about me or my opinions?

I do try to always remember that behind every username and avatar is a real person with real feelings. I try not to offend but sometimes misunderstandings occur. If I become aware that I have offended someone by my choice of words I am willing to apologise. I do this because I would do the same if we were talking face to face as guests in someone's home. In reality, this exactly our reality on a forum. We are all guests of the moderators who set up the forum and spends many hours watching over the members and the tone of the discussions.

I do think we should be able to discuss current issues but in the end it is up to us to remain civil.
 
Use a heavy rubber band to hold the trigger forward. You can still fire very quickly, but the trigger will go immediately into position for another shot.
 
I come here to discuss relevant issues with my fellow seniors. Health care, insurance, finances, Social Security, quality of life, and most of the other relevant topics to living life as a senior in some way have contact with politics. Government departments and agencies making decisions and rulings on these issues are (as I see it) are very relevant regarding these issues. What happens to the Social Security Admin., the VA, Medicare, other insurance, homeowners' tax deductions, etc. have a direct impact on our lives, and are thus valid topics of discussion, or at least valid within relevant topics of discussion. How can we, as seniors, avoid the impact of these factors?

Surely we, as "experienced" folks, can find a way to discuss these relevant topics without making it a problem for the board administration. I'd be happy to discuss ways that we can make that acceptable.
 
Wandrin said:
I come here to discuss relevant issues with my fellow seniors. Health care, insurance, finances, Social Security, quality of life, and most of the other relevant topics to living life as a senior in some way have contact with politics. Government departments and agencies making decisions and rulings on these issues are (as I see it) are very relevant regarding these issues. What happens to the Social Security Admin., the VA, Medicare, other insurance, homeowners' tax deductions, etc. have a direct impact on our lives, and are thus valid topics of discussion, or at least valid within relevant topics of discussion. How can we, as seniors, avoid the impact of these factors?
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These topics should be discussed with your attorney or CPA.

Wandrin said:
Surely we, as "experienced" folks, can find a way to discuss these relevant topics without making it a problem for the board administration. I'd be happy to discuss ways that we can make that acceptable.
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The company that owns this website obviously had a very different experience.
 
I think the problem is one of proportion.

If, in discussing a topic such as Social Security, I write something like "The Democrats defeated the bill", all well and good.

If, on the other hand, I write "It was the *^&%$ Democrats with their constant harping that killed the bill", that's an entirely different tone.

The first is factual. The second, slanted and emotional.
 
People will always differ in the way they express themselves. As long as they are not abusing individuals, I am not overly concerned. As an Australian I am careful not to use "colourful language" that would not offend where I come from but might be considered very offensive here. We can always reread out own posts before final posting. That is really all it takes - just a bit of reflection on our own words rather than obsession about the wording of others.
 
But don't you think it's human nature to at least observe and opinionate, if not flat-out revolt against, the expressed opinions of others?

We love to hear our own voices, and we love to be "accepted" by the "tribe". And we love to broadcast our beliefs to others.

I agree that many problems would be solved by a stop-and-think-and-edit policy, but how many of us are fully capable of that?
 
Warrigal said:
People will always differ in the way they express themselves. As long as they are not abusing individuals, I am not overly concerned. As an Australian I am careful not to use "colourful language" that would not offend where I come from but might be considered very offensive here. We can always reread out own posts before final posting. That is really all it takes - just a bit of reflection on our own words rather than obsession about the wording of others.
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It's a funny thing "colorful language" , people here [America] are always quick to use euphemisms for it. Darn instead of damn, "sleeping together" instead of fu*king each other, etc & so-on. My question is why ? we all know what they mean to say , why not just say it ?

Hiding behind some warm & fuzzy word...does not change the meaning of the word...and after all isn't the meaning of the word the true grit of the word?

Think about it...if I say for example. My neighbor is sleeping with my other neighbor, behind his wife's back... or my neighbor is f*cking my other neighbor behind his wife's back...It doesn't change what he is doing.... only how I relay it.

Why can't we just be honest ?....call it like it is.
 
SifuPhil said:
But don't you think it's human nature to at least observe and opinionate...
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I prefer to opine. I love the English language, Standard English. We need to express our rage at those who don't know how to use it. A spelling, grammar, and syntax test should be mandatory before people are allowed to post.

Warrigal said:
People will always differ in the way they express themselves. As long as they are not abusing individuals, I am not overly concerned. As an Australian I am careful not to use "colourful language" that would not offend where I come from but might be considered very offensive here. We can always reread out own posts before final posting. That is really all it takes - just a bit of reflection on our own words rather than obsession about the wording of others.
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There are those who deserve abuse. It's wrong to fail to express it. It's akin to an approving attitude to a crime.
 
SifuPhil said:
But don't you think it's human nature to at least observe and opinionate, if not flat-out revolt against, the expressed opinions of others?

We love to hear our own voices, and we love to be "accepted" by the "tribe". And we love to broadcast our beliefs to others.

I agree that many problems would be solved by a stop-and-think-and-edit policy, but how many of us are fully capable of that?
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I think it's the difference between having a discussion where all of us can learn something, if only understanding an opposing view, and erecting a billboard to state an opinion. One fosters deeper understanding and the other indicates that the poster does not want to engage in discussion.

For issues that are important to us, I think we are fully capable of listening as well as speaking. If not, perhaps we should start a discussion on the benefits for all or having a discussion. Once the value to all of openly discussing our individual perspectives is appreciated, I think we can be fully capable of rational discussion.
 
rgp said:
It's a funny thing "colorful language" , people here [America] are always quick to use euphemisms for it. Darn instead of damn, "sleeping together" instead of fu*king each other, etc & so-on. My question is why ? we all know what they mean to say , why not just say it ?

Hiding behind some warm & fuzzy word...does not change the meaning of the word...and after all isn't the meaning of the word the true grit of the word?

Think about it...if I say for example. My neighbor is sleeping with my other neighbor, behind his wife's back... or my neighbor is f*cking my other neighbor behind his wife's back...It doesn't change what he is doing.... only how I relay it.

Why can't we just be honest ?....call it like it is.
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Cursing has several drawbacks ...


  1. It makes the swearer look uneducated, ignorant and lazy. There are millions of words in the English language - why default to the easy way out?
  2. It offends people. So why do it if it offends people? That shows a certain meanness of attitude toward others.
  3. How you practice is how you fight (something I've learned studying martial arts). If you use dirty words enough, you'll end up using them in places where they REALLY aren't appropriate.
 
Wandrin said:
I think it's the difference between having a discussion where all of us can learn something, if only understanding an opposing view, and erecting a billboard to state an opinion. One fosters deeper understanding and the other indicates that the poster does not want to engage in discussion.
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On the nose.

For issues that are important to us, I think we are fully capable of listening as well as speaking. If not, perhaps we should start a discussion on the benefits for all or having a discussion. Once the value to all of openly discussing our individual perspectives is appreciated, I think we can be fully capable of rational discussion.
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I think you have more faith in humanity than I do. Good for you.
 
rgp said:
It's a funny thing "colorful language" , people here [America] are always quick to use euphemisms for it. Darn instead of damn, "sleeping together" instead of fu*king each other, etc & so-on. My question is why ? we all know what they mean to say , why not just say it ?

Hiding behind some warm & fuzzy word...does not change the meaning of the word...and after all isn't the meaning of the word the true grit of the word?

Think about it...if I say for example. My neighbor is sleeping with my other neighbor, behind his wife's back... or my neighbor is f*cking my other neighbor behind his wife's back...It doesn't change what he is doing.... only how I relay it.

Why can't we just be honest ?....call it like it is.
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I use the Queen’s English where appropriate, that said, a career spent among military vets has given me a PhD in colourful language. I use it freely. Most therapists do. We live in a gritty reality.
 
Warrigal said:
People will always differ in the way they express themselves. As long as they are not abusing individuals, I am not overly concerned. As an Australian I am careful not to use "colourful language" that would not offend where I come from but might be considered very offensive here. We can always reread out own posts before final posting. That is really all it takes - just a bit of reflection on our own words rather than obsession about the wording of others.
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I watch my colourful language as well.
 
Big Horn said:
I prefer to opine. I love the English language, Standard English. We need to express our rage at those who don't know how to use it. A spelling, grammar, and syntax test should be mandatory before people are allowed to post.
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There would probably be far fewer people attending forums, then.

Nobody likes Grammar Nazis except themsleves.

Besides, isn't function more important than form?


There are those who deserve abuse. It's wrong to fail to express it. It's akin to an approving attitude to a crime.
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Heh ... I can't argue with you there, because I have the same attitude when I'm out in public and I see someone doing something legally, ethically or morally wrong.

On forums I can just walk away from the offending thread (although sometimes that proves quite difficult, hence the abuse factor).
 
Big Horn said:
I prefer to opine. I love the English language, Standard English. We need to express our rage at those who don't know how to use it. A spelling, grammar, and syntax test should be mandatory before people are allowed to post.


There are those who deserve abuse. It's wrong to fail to express it. It's akin to an approving attitude to a crime.
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And here I have been holding back from abusing you, Big Horn, for your highly criminal posts [/irony]
 
On a humorous note, I am the daughter of an English/French teacher, forced to take elocution lessons as a child. Talk about painting a target on my back! Loll. Only resurfaces when I am very angry, and my language becomes clipped, concise, and formal. As a therapist, I am more interested in the content of language, than the presentation. As a poet, I am drawn to both.
 
Shalimar said:
On a humorous note, I am the daughter of an English/French teacher, forced to take elocution lessons as a child. Talk about painting a target on my back! Loll. Only resurfaces when I am very angry, and my language becomes clipped, concise, and formal. As a therapist, I am more interested in the content of language, than the presentation. As a poet, I am drawn to both.
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Amen. To. That. :playful:
 

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