just something i thought was important

[lazysmurff]

im really concerned about a trend i see in the in the threads and posts in this forums. That trend is gross generalization. 90% of us 90% of the time make incredably discriminatory generalizations about groups of people thats lead not only to ridiculous, unecessary bickering, but also feeds the growing animosity i see developing in america towards differing view points.

these range from ridiculous generalizations about political beliefs: believe me. not every democrat is a weed smoking, tree hugging, all natural hippie. and not every republican is a backwoods, gun toting, bible thumper.

to generalizations about culture: the vast majority of muslims are peaceful, loving people. and they dont hate freedom. just like the vast majority of christians are peaceful loving people. yes, there are a few crazies, but hey...jerry falwell isnt exactly moderate either.

and generalizations about the militaries on both sides of the iraqi conflict: the majority of US soldiers are good guys who main objective is to get home in one piece. yes, there are a few tards. but that doesnt make the whole military a bunch of assholes. now, i dont know about the iraqi "insurgents" but im also fairly certain the majority of them are also good people who only want an interfering country out of their homeland (kinda like we want an interfering government out of our homes) yes, a few may fight dirty, and a few morons may cut some heads off. but that doesnt mean all of them have no respect for life.

whether we mean to or not, we display ourselves as ignorant everytime we do this. and i know for a fact (barring a few individuals) none of us are ignorant. so i behoove(sp?) you, the next time you make a post, please take the time and have the consideration to be specific and not generalize. when you generalize, you only add to the misunderstanding and hatred.

thank you....i'll now relinquish my soapbox.

[Neutrino]

Darn it....level headed posts are not allowed in this section. Now you might think: I'll be banned, but nooo....that would be the easy way out compared to a nasty punishment like being moderator of the Politics, Investments & Current Affairs forum.









Just j/k. I fully agree with you. I wish this section would be civilised so I can participate in it fully. Heck this is basically my major.


And its very true that people overgeneralise and try to push they ideas as absolute. Fact is politics as economics don't have to be a zero sum game so if would be nice if would to calm down and see both side of the story realise that the truth is often grey and found a common ground.

As you said its ussually extremists that cause problems. If its either Christians buring scientists or muslims carring out terrorist attacks (heck most people don't even realise that jihad means "striving" as in working for a worthy goal and because of some scumbag terrorists it became "holly war")

Also people tend to hate other nations just because of some stupid political disagreement. The recent slandering of the french for example. So what they disagreed on something with the US and both Chirach and Bush have poor diplomatic skills leading to lot of "bitching". That doesn't mean France and US are not still allies and did not have a great history of mutual help mainly Independence War and WWII. Same goes for the slandering of soldiers, a few are idiots and they should be punished but that does not represent the whole armed forces.

[MagicRat]

I would agree with smurf and neutrino. I have found this subforum at times too obnoxious and combative for my tastes. (there I go generalizing................)

However, consider the nature of this forum...... truly enthusiastic debaters who are inclined to produce consistently well reseearched and thoughtful posts don't show up here. Most of us are car enthusiasts first, like myself, combative, egocentric and cursed with a short attention span.

So, might we be expecting too much from some of the participants here? Maybe. Still, as this thread suggests, we all should strive for continuous personal improvement, at least in our posts.

[Heep]

Funny thing is I have basically no interest at all in the topics of discussion in this forum, it's just that I'm a self-righteous bastard that loves to argue

[YogsVR4]

Some of us used to do long thought out and researched posts but its so much faster to sling the mud

[Delta Dart]

Thanks lazysmurff!!!

[DGB454]

All smurfs are lazy. (generally speaking of course)

[Flatrater]

I woul like to see civil posts here. I think this fourm could be a great place to learn and debate. There are many things I know nothing about and coming here I have been taught many things. But it's a turn off when I see the negative BS name calling or the Bush must die post after post after post. It gets tiring. We already know you wish him dead but its not happening anytime soon.

Very rarely can someone be proven right or wrong this forum is filled with opnions. I don't disagree with all the pro-liberal stuff just as much as I don't agree with all the republican posts.

Well I'm at it as a mod on AF I stay neutral on all members. I don't care which side of the fence you sit on all I care is the rules are followed.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

But it's a turn off when I see the negative BS name calling or the Bush must die post after post after post. It gets tiring. We already know you wish him dead but its not happening anytime soon.

Flat, how can you be tired of this? You brought it upon yourself because you have been a one-man Republican propeganda machine!

That being said, I agree, the surprisingly partisan conflict of the recent US election has been reflected in this forum. This forum has been somewhat hijacked by a substantial unenlightened emotional bias, mine included.

[Flatrater]

You brought it upon yourself because you have been a one-man Republican propeganda machine!

Why thank you! You know when I take on a job I do my damn best to do it right.

You know not all of us die-hard republicans are that bad. Its true I am a republican but that doesn't stop me from thinking all the time. Just think of all the debate material I posted for us to debate. If I didn't could you imagine how quiet this forum would of been?

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

Its true I am a republican but that doesn't stop me from thinking all the time. Just think of all the debate material I posted for us to debate. If I didn't could you imagine how quiet this forum would of been?

Too true.
Inviting debate on a forum such as this is a highly valued part of todays political process.

It's bad enough if any of us just buy the party line without questioning the actions or motivations found in the world of politics - even if its among your own party.

The only thing worse is to take no interest in politics/current events at all.