no bombs dropping here or heavy artillery being brought up from the rear but the thread recently closed started innocently enough with a couple pictures of a yacht turned into one of the most heated and divisive threads ever on here with some very harsh rhetoric and some nasty name calling yet at the same time it was spirited and got me energized far more than the usual days here.
So can we examine the good and the bad of having contentious topics of discussion? I still hope that we never become a forum dominated with political squabbling as are so many others yet it is short sighted to believe we should always avoid politics since we are all people with political opinions. Is there any way politics can be discussed without resorting to bring out the brass knuckles and leather truncheons? Is it actually good to have a bar room brawl from time to time to release pent up frustrations? I will say that I did enjoy the battle when it was on and suddenly, it seems very tame and too easy now here this evening.
What are y’alls thoughts on what transpired and how we should move on now that the thread is closed?
I enjoyed much of the analysis and fact based arguments from several posters. Spirited, even aggressive debates are good I think, but when opposed parties reject the other side out of hand, without facts, and resort to name calling, I am immediately dismayed and reminded of our current political paralysis from which there is no hope of meaningful reform or progress. The automatic labels of racist or poor hater or socialist when anyone discusses social reform are the absolute worst and destroy any chance of meaningful discussion, both here and in real life governance. And those automatic labels were flowing fast and furious…
I thought it was an interesting thread. I sometimes think every boat in the Gulf is a Fox News echo chamber; it was a pleasant change to see some different views.
Whether it was actually useful for anything … probably not so much. You don’t really expect to change anyone’s mind here, do you?
The vicious personal attacks, incoming and outgoing, were a bit over the top. Maybe a little less of that, huh?
Damn, I missed all the fun and now I have over a hundred posts to read through. I’m pro-political discussion, it’s the basis for a strong democracy. What we need is a neutral moderator to tell people when they need to stfu and put a temporary ban on them if they’re really being an ass.
[QUOTE=txh2oman;151146]I thought it was an interesting thread.
Whether it was actually useful for anything … probably not so much. You don’t really expect to change anyone’s mind here, do you?
The vicious personal attacks, incoming and outgoing, were a bit over the top. Maybe a little less of that, huh?[/QUOTE]
Exactly correct. From what I’ve seen, adults are firmly entrenched in their religion & political beliefs and no amount of facts or name calling is going to change their minds. Call it tradition or loyalty.
It’s a case of "My (insert group here), right or wrong."
We seem hard wired to behave this way. It probably goes back to our tribal roots as a survival mechanism.
The problem is these deep seated beliefs become very personal. Arguments often devolve to personal insults. The end result will be hurt feelings, sometimes to the point where good members will choose to spend their internet time elsewhere.
That said, we need diverse opinions to make this forum relevant. Think how boring this place would be if everyone was Rush Limbaugh ‘Ditto head’. While some may actually prefer that, I for one would leave.
So where do we go from here? I think it best we stick with the current guideline of no politics unless it directly relates to maritime.
[QUOTE=Traitor Yankee;151140]stop being such a fucking ass[/QUOTE]
you know with replies like that I realize there is no way to ever have a civil discussion here about anything related to politics. I just pose a simple question but out comes the knives. This is a pity but I see what we are dealing with and it is not worth it to stumble into a minefield of politics again here. Those who wish to avoid having their feet blown off should just not start with the first insults which really is what set off the powderkeg under the whole damned thing. I said the rich have too much…how easy it would be to let it go but out came the jealousy comment which I will not let just pass. I do not believe that one initial comment I made was worth the bloodbath we all experienced…it really was very ugly. Just know that when I feel insulted, I will fire back and not with a BB gun either…love me or hate me, but using small caliber arms is not in my nature. Like I said before in other threads, if I were in the Navy, I’d be in what they used to call “The Gun Club” but they don’t have guns anymore (or at least not real guns!)
For my part, I will make every effort to refrain from further negative comments toward wealth in the US. My feelings are all now well established and I need not continue to scream them like I did, but don’t think if y’all dangle something in front of me to bring me out that I won’t call bullshit on you because I will however if there is no overt provocation, I will try to desist to keep the forum civil. I don’t want to repeat that thread in any way over any other contentious subject here again. I do not like living in a perpetual warzone.
I’ll refrain but just don’t push me…can we agree on such a truce for the future here?
[QUOTE=Jetryder223;151187]Exactly correct. From what I’ve seen, adults are firmly entrenched in their religion & political beliefs and no amount of facts or name calling is going to change their minds. Call it tradition or loyalty.
It’s a case of "My (insert group here), right or wrong."
We seem hard wired to behave this way. It probably goes back to our tribal roots as a survival mechanism.
The problem is these deep seated beliefs become very personal. Arguments often devolve to personal insults. The end result will be hurt feelings, sometimes to the point where good members will choose to spend their internet time elsewhere.
That said, we need diverse opinions to make this forum relevant. Think how boring this place would be if everyone was Rush Limbaugh ‘Ditto head’. While some may actually prefer that, I for one would leave.
So where do we go from here? I think it best we stick with the current guideline of no politics unless it directly relates to maritime.
My 2 cents.[/QUOTE]
said it before…you are quite wise for such a young man
Updated - - -
John, Rob, Mike…
can we get input from one of you gentlemen…a policy statement of a sort?
[QUOTE=c.captain;151199]little pleasure boats are just fine by me though especially if they are old and built of wood…then you’d find me a very affable chap[/QUOTE]
Well then this little bit of boat porn should keep you satisfied for a while.
[QUOTE=Jetryder223;151201]Someday, she will be mine !
(I’m talking about the boat dammit)[/QUOTE]
FUCK THE BOAT!..I want the BABE
but how on earth can the builder of this fine vessel expect to sell any without the model being in a bikini? I mean it just flies against the face of simple logic! Men want boats to get pussy and they need to be made to believe that particular boat is going to be the magic ticket…
Please, you’re the first one to insult half the country and then wonder why people call you a communist or liberachi’s butt plug or any number off things. If we had to take a poll of the most insulting member of the forum there would be three choices
C. Captain
c. Captain
c. captain
You know what kills me though? Outside of this forum I think we might just get along pretty well. Plenty of shared view points and interests. It’s just you rant and rave and act like a complete asshole while making your point. Then, furthermore, you make this thread and have the balls to say “I pose a simple question but out come the knives”.
Sorry dude, but nothing pisses me off more than a hypocrite.
