Then I could have a column titled "And In the Other Corner", and provide some balance to the BS. Why don't you do it Demsformd?

Originally posted by MGKrebs
Then I could have a column titled "And In the Other Corner", and provide some balance to the BS. Why don't you do it Demsformd? Good one!!! :lol: :roflmao: :lol: :roflmao: :lmao:

Hello! Submit a sample of your writing to vei@somd.com. You needn't be a local to write a column for somd.com. Also, we've been looking for a columnist with a liberal viewpoint to balance out the Ops.

Oh Crap Krebs..... I thought you were going to say, "So I can hunt down Ken King" Total disappointment!

You could have an article from Atlanta.... This is the information age honey.

I have actually thought about writing one.. Not because I disagree with Ken's views ( we actually agree on some!, just for different reasons.. ) but just to have another take on certain subjects..

I think I'll start a new column.. The Way It Really Is.. :biggrin:

Originally posted by MGKrebs
Then I could have a column titled "And In the Other Corner", and provide some balance to the BS. Why don't you do it Demsformd?
What column in particular? I agree with Vraiblonde, submit an article, lets see. How about calling it the Georgia Cracker?

If dems or smalltown defer, i might take you up on that. It just seems like it would be better coming from a local.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you guys again. Although most of you disagree with me on a lot of stuff, I appreciate the chance to express myself here. I have looked long and hard for a place (on the internet) to discuss issues with adults, and believe me, they are hard to find. And the ones that are out there rarely let anything other than a very narrow point of view last more than an hour.

You may be wrong, but at least you let me say my piece.

:cheers:

This is the only board I spend any time on - most are so big your message gets lost and it's hard to get to know anyone. Then there are the specialty boards with that narrow focus you were talking about. Most of my dirt-world friends aren't interested in politics so this is where I rant and/or learn things.
You may be wrong Yes, you are. :cool:

Originally posted by MGKrebs
Then I could have a column titled "And In the Other Corner", and provide some balance to the BS. Why don't you do it Demsformd?

and also----

You may be wrong, but at least you let me say my piece.

Gotta say, biggest difference I've ever seen between liberals and conservatives - I think you have a right to your different opinion, but according to you, my opinion is "BS" and "wrong". It doesn't surprise me that a liberal thinks my opinion is BS, although that is usually the furthest the argument goes, because liberals are into name-calling rather than reasoning the issue. Most consistent thing I've seen in debates between the two sides is,

Liberals have the "right" opinion. All others are "wrong", "unenlightened", "old-fashioned". They consistently make it a battle between right and wrong. Judicial appointments are WRONG for no other reason than they are "right-wing". Most common argument - if you don't agree with the liberal viewpoint, you simply don't know enough about the issue (or you're a bigot, or a selfish rich bastard, or an ignorant redneck).

Conservatives have the more "practical" or the "better" opinion. They don't make it a case of "right" or "good", just having weighed the options, think their choice is the more reasonable one to choose. (This does not include the fundies, who think their every whim is right, and I ignore them, as everyone should). You have a right to your opinion and if you can convince me of your side on the merits of it, I'll consider it.

There's not necessarily a right or a wrong, but only a best choice available. I'm not going to call your opinion BS, but you won't convince me with insults, innuendo, irrelevancies, isolated anecdotal information, name-calling, mind-reading and emotional appeals. If the economic stimulus package won't work, explain to me WHY it doesn't work, with logic and reasoning, and give alternatives. DON'T give me insults - give me reasons.

I'd read an MG's ABC's column.

We'll see if he uses nasty stuff like "BS" when reason fails.

You can be the MG monitor.

Frank, I've seen that type of "right vs. wrong" behavior on both sides. You're right that many liberals label their opponents as backward or unenlightened. But many conservatives do this too, except that they label their opponents as unpatriotic or anti-family.

On the bright side, each wing has its share of open-minded people as well. It seems like these people are drowned out by the close-minded ones, who tend to be more extreme.

You're right that politics should be a debate, not a battle. Open-minded people can have drastically different opinions on things. And that's all right.

One thing I always noticed about conservatives is how they try to use this jedi mind-trick stuff... Trying to convince you that if you think something different then they do, you have to be wrong.. Common buzz words like..

"You really can't be serious"
"This is just incredible"
"Can you believe he said that?"
"It is very clear"
"It is ridiculous to think otherwise"
"If you can't understand this..."
"Eveyone knows it is the right thing"
"You don't really believe that do you?"


These are just things I have pulled from the conservatives lately talking about Trent Lott, the war with Iraq, and the new stimulus plan


Conservatives hear these lines and start slobbering all over themselves while pointing at the dems saying "I told you so!"

On the other hand, you have the dems who can't hold a political conversation without showing the need to be loud and getting into a shouting match.. Sure, the republicans SOMTIMES bait them into this type of thing, but they need to learn to get over that, or else nobody will take them seriously (to steal a conservative line!)

...how others view one.

Small, I'd have said the opposite! It's my impression that libs play the "self evident buzz phrase" game and we get pissed off.

Very interesting observation.

Originally posted by Tonio
But many conservatives do this too, except that they label their opponents as unpatriotic or anti-family.



Only if they are thinking-impaired. Those are the ones I ignore, because one - I don't think they speak for conservatives. "Unpatriotic"? Geez. Since when is being patriotic a good reason for anything? I don't mind displaying a flag, or wearing a "USA" shirt, because I am glad I'm an American, and doing so makes me just as much a part of *being* an American and demonstrating that pride. I'll wear a NYFD cap also, to show support for those brave men. Is that patriotism? If it is, then I'm that - I'll give to Americans who are suffering and in need - they're my countrymen. I'll give to those who suffered at the hands of the sniper, and to those in LaPlata from the tornado. If that's patriotism, color me patriotic, but I think it's just human kindness.

I, however do NOT support American actions or policy if, after weighing all the options and alternatives thoroughly, I can conclude that it is plainly wrong. I don't however attack American society and policy, offering NO sensible alternatives but just attack it, even though it may seem 'cool' to do so. I saw a lot of that many years ago in college. It was always way cool to badmouth America, then - because my fellow students could be counted on to agree with me. I doubt anyone then would have been so outspoken, if they'd been alone with their ideas. It was just cool to do it, just like it was cool to badmouth grownups or parents or society in grade school or high school.

Anti-*family*? I've never accused anyone of that. That's a dumb accusation because it's just a name. It's namecalling. On the other hand - I *do* think that social trends to disintegrate the family as the basic unit of our culture will eventually destroy what little we have left. Historically, this trend always breaks up civilizations. Ones that survive after the dust settles, are the ones that maintain the family, and preserve it.

Accusations that arise from the religious part of conservatism - I turn a deaf ear to - they are a fraction of it, and I can't base any political decision based strictly on religion. I think people should be *allowed* to pray, but not be required to pray. I don't think the govt should be in the business of promoting or teaching religion anymore than they should be in the business of teaching values or ethics. It's crap, and they do it badly anyway.

Thanks for your reply, Frank. You sound like a very open-minded person.

My criticism was not really directed at you or any other Forumites. Instead, I was criticizing the TV pundits who rant and rave instead of debate. Those pundits make a living with exactly the kind of name-calling that both of us despise. I believe TV nutures political extremism, because the medium discourages lengthy debate and encourages sound-bite hyperbole. (That's why I like print news. Bias and hyperbole are easier to spot when they're in print.)

I think some activists use "anti-family" as a code word to attack homosexuals. (Others use the term to refer to sex and violence in entertainment.) I respect people who choose not to be gay because they believe it's immoral. I wouldn't dream of asking them to change their beliefs. But I can't see how homosexuality is a threat to the institution of the family.

You know, Krebs, I think that starting a new column is a great idea and I would be willing to write it too. I would of course like your input as well as anyone else. So how do you do it? This is an interesting idea.

Originally posted by SmallTown
One thing I always noticed about conservatives is how they try to use this jedi mind-trick stuff... Trying to convince you that if you think something different then they do, you have to be wrong
I think it's interesting that you'd say that, considering I'm having a conversation with the libs in another thread and they keep making statements ("Those guys are all racists, especially Buchanan") with no facts to back it up. They are also using their own special brand of ESP to tell us all what colleges and the media are thinking ("Bush ... does not like average folks" "Harvard only uses Bush and his MBA thing when they have too...they are not too proud about it.").
Sure, the republicans SOMTIMES bait them into this type of thing, Do you not watch the talking head political shows? Democrats bait Republicans all the time with fake facts, dishonest statements and by interrupting them constantly and shouting. Republicans rarely take that bait, much to my chagrin. Except Ann Coulter - she's about the only one who will say, "Excuse me, it's my turn to talk," and reclaim her spotlight.

Originally posted by demsformd
You know, Krebs, I think that starting a new column is a great idea and I would be willing to write it too. I would of course like your input as well as anyone else. So how do you do it? This is an interesting idea.
For me, I was invited by SOMD to write a column. "So how do you do it?" You put words together to express an idea you feel strongly about and email it in. Someone who has worked on many campaigns should be able to slam one together rather quickly.


Vraiblonde,

Are you going to let them continue to use their pseudonym if they in fact write a column or will they finally have to come out of the shadows?

Who does the email go to, buddy?

Look, I try to refrain from name calling, but sometimes I lose my temper, and other times, like in this thread, it was intended to be lighthearted.

I think I do pretty good backing up my statements. A lot of what we talk about is opinion, so there are no "facts", and when I do provide facts or links, they are usually dismissed for no particular reason.

BTW, I've been accused of being wrong and shoveling BS plenty around here.

And Vrai, why don't you ask somebody about some new homicide statistics they were going to find to replace the original bogus ones?

BANG

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/hmrt.htm

...people are but, they serve the purpose.

http://www.gun-control-network.org/CrimStats0101.htm


My favorite line:

Our tight gun laws are undoubtedly responsible for the relatively rare use of guns in crime.

This after showing the leaps street violence is showing. Kinda like they are proud that no one gets shot, criminal or victim.

Granted, the UK doesn't have our handgun violence numbers but they are used as some kind of model as to GUN CONTROL UTOPIA.
Therefore they are open to analysis.

Reading factually, they actually had less handgun murders before the ban.

Second favorite line:

It is clear to the vast majority of British citizens that any relaxation of gun controls or the routine arming of the police would lead to an increase in the use of guns in crime. For these reasons such developments will be fiercely resisted.

And may I add... "even if we have to start shooting people!"

They are rather proud, it seems, of being unable to defend themselves.

We had a guy in here some time back (jimmy) who actually came around to seeing the value in the right to possess a firearm and defend ones life and loved ones with it.

These guys seem to be of a different bent, so FWIW,

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/3/21/205139.shtml

Originally posted by demsformd
Who does the email go to, buddy?
Well Buddy, who are the administrators? (David and Dee Jay) Notice that they have a button for email? Did you ever notice that Vraiblonde was "board mommy"? Does the obvious just zoom right past you?

BTW you will probably have to provide your real identity before they would post it, are you capable of coming out of the shadow?

...Counselor!

If you would like to be considered as a columnist, send a sample column to vei@somd.com, along with your name and a bit of background on yourself. Ken's right that you must use your own name - no pen names or pseudonyms. Give us an idea of what type of column you'd like to write - politics, general interest, family life, etc.

What we're looking for is someone who will commit to a regular column. We don't demand exclusivity but we don't pay, either. :lol: We've had occasions where one of our columnists has sold a column that was written for Somd.com to another media source - that's fine and we encourage that.

Any questions, email me at deejay@somd.com.

Vrai, are you still doing your column?

No - I haven't done one in at least a year. I was slacking off on it anyway and just decided to put it to bed permanently. The archives are still there, though, and I still get email about something I wrote 4 years ago. :lol:

Will my identity be divulged to anyone that looks at the forums if I give it to the administrators?

If you write a column, your real name will appear as your byline. We can't accept anonymous columnists - otherwise it's just an extended forum post with no real credibility.

Now isn't that an interesting question.... Could we be in the midst of the famous? :wink: