We post. Period.
No rules..humans should have no rules at the heart of the essence that is humaniy.
Unfortunately, that is the sort of idea which ends in violence, hatred and other evils. As an example, I think abortion is killing a child. Since killing a child is a terrible evil, I can't see any reason to compromise on the issue. In fact, I'm pretty sure I would be willing to give myy life to save a child from death. Better yet, why not prevent that death by taking the life of the person who would cause it? That's why people bomb abortion clinics.
I'm not saying anyone here is going out to strap on a backpack, but my point is that people have manners for a reason. I think it was here that someone said people in the old west had fewer fights because you never insulted a man you weren't willing to fight and you never fought a man you weren't willing to kill or be killed by. Ground rules that are held in common give a frame of reference that helps us avoid the extremes. When things get hairy, a simple reminder like "Smile when you say that, son" gives a chance to fall back on the guidelines before it gets out of hand. In a situation like political discussion, personal convictions can be very emotionally high. It is necessary to develop a thick skin, true. But it is also important to remember that however right our viewpoint may be, we are not justified in treating others like garbage. I don't think that stifles debate; I think it improves it.
No Rules?? No. . . I meant to say fewer restrictions!! Retraction retraction retraction....
Of course civility and manners must be at the essence of any discussion, lest we don't give a damn at all for anyone, or anything!
I absolutely agree with you there, Pooch. It does improve debate.
I do think however that a slip into madness is going to be par for the course. IN the old west there were moments of high anxiety which led to a "quick and the dead shot" from the hip mentality.....all due to an overly heated need to get revenge or get one's way ----or get another one OUT OF THE WAY for good.
Yes,there are bound to be times when "stuff happens"...in such a case, I do believe that if a place like this has a zero tolerance set up, it's not realistic. It is going to get better if people agree to disagree..but 100% of the time?? Not reality.
I meant to say that we are human beings, with human frailties. There are times when we are going to fall off the beam ....and such statements as "An armed society is a polite society" won't be there to save the point.(which is a good quote, indeed...don't get me wrong, Ami)
But we must be able to breathe when we are confronted by scathing remarks...I experienced such a thing recently in my work place..and the first thing I wanted to do was to scream bloody murder NOT FAIR how dare you..etc, but, I did take steps back and let things roll off....and in the end polite and well mannered discussions came forth with solutions to boot.
So, there are times when we are going to do the wrong thing.....say the stupid thing....cry the wasted tears, bash the already beat up bear,.....
This board has grown tenfold times tenfold in the past few years....because people have been willing to step back, kick ass, step back and then forth with grace.... then settle into the point with a new approach . We end up shaping up and returning to the focus at hand....discussion/debate with sprinkles of pissiness if necessary.
Cynthia
