AStone
Member
Yes, I avoid anything to do with politics.
Do you ever deliberately avoid THR topics?
- Thread starter The Tourist
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The Tourist
member
Nematocyst said:
I wish we had some time sipping a cool one and talking about this response. I did not expect someone to have a total blockade on political discussions.
For example, you might not like knives. You see my name, you skip over it. I get that.
However, everything we do (or are allowed to do in this rendition of "freedom") emanates from the pressures of politics. For example, most of us own guns and practice. Currently we have a thread discussing if we have cut back on going to the range simply because of gas prices. Clearly, the cost of oil relates to the shenanigans of politics.
Keeping an eye on politics is a lot like walking about in condition yellow. You need to be vigil. There's always some puffed up canadidate trying to make his bones on reinstating the helmet law.
Granted, watching politics is a lot like watching sausage being made, but sometimes you have to get your hands dirty. This election year is the perfect example, and "sausage" will be flying everywhere.
Brian Dale
Member
Tourist, you've framed a good, general rule of thumb for political issues:
"Keeping an eye on politics is a lot like walking about in condition yellow. You need to be vigilant. There's always some puffed up candidate trying to make his bones on {fill in the blank}."
"Keeping an eye on politics is a lot like walking about in condition yellow. You need to be vigilant. There's always some puffed up candidate trying to make his bones on {fill in the blank}."
The problem with discussing politics on the internet is that everyone wants to talk and no seems to know how to listen. The ill informed, the lazy, the inexperienced all shout with loud voices degrading the discussion into babble. Since most of politics is opinion, and we all know what they say about opinions, it can be impossible to carry out a civil discussion when people are not face to face.
It was so bad we did away with the politics subforum altogether. Gotta be pretty bad when we're forced to chop one of the legs off the table.
It was so bad we did away with the politics subforum altogether. Gotta be pretty bad when we're forced to chop one of the legs off the table.
The Tourist
member
*sigh* hso, you're right, off course. But that's not the fault of the topic. It's clearly the responsibility of the guys participating in the debate.
Right or wrong, I don't want anyone banned because they snapped at me. I'm a big boy, the computer has an off-button.
The lost of a venue for discussion hurt people more than they know.
Right or wrong, I don't want anyone banned because they snapped at me. I'm a big boy, the computer has an off-button.
The lost of a venue for discussion hurt people more than they know.
Eightball
Member
You betcha. After hanging around here for a number of years, the generic Mosin, AK, SKS and AR threads are all the same, same with 90% of the 1911 threads, same with many of the "comparison" threads. I don't haunt the "tactics" forum because it's all the same "what-if"-mall ninjary (on average).
Generally speaking, after hanging around for a while, you get the general vibe of all the subforums, and can predict the course of discussion on a thread. Those are the ones I avoid.
Generally speaking, after hanging around for a while, you get the general vibe of all the subforums, and can predict the course of discussion on a thread. Those are the ones I avoid.
Eleven Mike
Member
Tourist,
That someone avoids political topics on THR doesn't mean they aren't paying attention to politics at all. In fact, arguing about politics on a forum can really distract a person from keeping an eye on things outside the forum, or from activism.
That someone avoids political topics on THR doesn't mean they aren't paying attention to politics at all. In fact, arguing about politics on a forum can really distract a person from keeping an eye on things outside the forum, or from activism.
Joe Demko
Member
It's less avoiding certain topics than it is looking for posts by certain members. I've been here since the joint opened and I was at THR for years before that.
Certain members virtually always have worthwhile things to say. Certain other members virtually never do. Your opinion of who falls into each group isn't likely to be the same as mine.
One thing I have noticed, though, is that "angry young men" seldom have much to say save that they are angry.
Certain members virtually always have worthwhile things to say. Certain other members virtually never do. Your opinion of who falls into each group isn't likely to be the same as mine.
One thing I have noticed, though, is that "angry young men" seldom have much to say save that they are angry.
AStone
Member
Politics
Here are two bingo-ramas that approach my feeling about politics:
Political discussions (most notably on gun forums for some reason) always fall into bashing this group or that group. "It's the dognmad liberals that are at fault for all the bad in the world; if we could just get rid of them, everything would be fine."
I know - as either clients, acquaintances or friends - people on every edge of the political web, from what most of you would call hard core conservatives to hard core liberals, libertarians, and even some eco-anarchists. I know them and relate to them as people, not as political entities.
They all know that I have one rule for conversations: if you want to bash people, bash individuals, not groups. I will listen when someone says, "I [strike]hate[/strike] dislike {insert one or more: Bush, Gore, Obama, McCain ...}", but when someone starts off a sentence with, "Those liberals/conservatives are at it again", I either shut down or walk away. I just won't play.
Such labeling is, IMO, akin to sexism, racism or agism. People are people, and trying to box them up in tidy little packages is somewhere between folly, hubris and injustice.
If I've learned one important thing on THR in three years, it's this: politics is THE most divisive topic that one can raise here. Where ever there's politics, there's going to be an argument that often leads to a thread closure. Hell, like Hso said, they had to close down an entire subforum (L&Pee) because of it. (Religion could be a close second ... but for some reason, it's rarely discussed.)
I've also learned another important lesson on THR. A person's political views doesn't contribute squat to whether I like them or not as people. When I came here, I was coming from more of a liberal/libertarian even green perspective. I actually had fears about the number of self-avowed "conservatives" that I perceived on the forum, because they seemed to hold such strong (at times irrational) opinions about people (like me) of a more "liberal" bent... <added by edit> ... which is where I (incorrectly) thought I was at the time, and I didn't want to be judged by my politics. Since that time, I've learned by more careful observation that judgementalism is not a function of any one political flavor: anyone who votes any way can do it. </edit>
This also relates to why I [strike]HATE[/strike] disdain a two party political system. (Yes, yes, I know; it's technically not. But let's be real; in practice, it is.) If we had a system that [strike]allowed[/strike] encouraged multiple parties that had to work with proportional representations, I might like it better.
However, being on THR for three years, I've come to realize that I'm neither liberal, nor green, nor libertarian nor conservative. I'm all of those, rolled into a complex psyche with opinions that belong to all of those categories. I can't be - or is it that I refuse to be? - categorized or labeled.
IMO, labeling someone as a "conservative" or "liberal" is a gross over-simplication of a complex human being with complex views. Sure, some are strict conservatives, or strict liberals. But scratch many "liberals" [as many would define them based on their voting habits] and just beneath the skin you'll find some elements of conservatism. Same for most conservatives [as many would define them based on their voting habits].
It's that painting with a broad brush that keeps me out of political discussions. If people would discuss specific statesmen/women and their positions, or particular laws, I might play more often.
But I'm tired of painting with broad brushes; I'm tired of reading about this group or that group being bashed. I just won't play. So when I see a political discussion, I just walk away and find a thread where I can discuss guns ... or anything but politics.
OK, I'm wearing a flame suit.
Nem
Here are two bingo-ramas that approach my feeling about politics:
hso said:
To both of those I'll ad this: I get nauseated any more listening to broad generalizations about "liberals" v "conservatives", Republicrats v Demopublilcans v Libergreens v Greenatarians.ElevenMike said:
Political discussions (most notably on gun forums for some reason) always fall into bashing this group or that group. "It's the dognmad liberals that are at fault for all the bad in the world; if we could just get rid of them, everything would be fine."
I know - as either clients, acquaintances or friends - people on every edge of the political web, from what most of you would call hard core conservatives to hard core liberals, libertarians, and even some eco-anarchists. I know them and relate to them as people, not as political entities.
They all know that I have one rule for conversations: if you want to bash people, bash individuals, not groups. I will listen when someone says, "I [strike]hate[/strike] dislike {insert one or more: Bush, Gore, Obama, McCain ...}", but when someone starts off a sentence with, "Those liberals/conservatives are at it again", I either shut down or walk away. I just won't play.
Such labeling is, IMO, akin to sexism, racism or agism. People are people, and trying to box them up in tidy little packages is somewhere between folly, hubris and injustice.
If I've learned one important thing on THR in three years, it's this: politics is THE most divisive topic that one can raise here. Where ever there's politics, there's going to be an argument that often leads to a thread closure. Hell, like Hso said, they had to close down an entire subforum (L&Pee) because of it. (Religion could be a close second ... but for some reason, it's rarely discussed.)
I've also learned another important lesson on THR. A person's political views doesn't contribute squat to whether I like them or not as people. When I came here, I was coming from more of a liberal/libertarian even green perspective. I actually had fears about the number of self-avowed "conservatives" that I perceived on the forum, because they seemed to hold such strong (at times irrational) opinions about people (like me) of a more "liberal" bent... <added by edit> ... which is where I (incorrectly) thought I was at the time, and I didn't want to be judged by my politics. Since that time, I've learned by more careful observation that judgementalism is not a function of any one political flavor: anyone who votes any way can do it. </edit>
This also relates to why I [strike]HATE[/strike] disdain a two party political system. (Yes, yes, I know; it's technically not. But let's be real; in practice, it is.) If we had a system that [strike]allowed[/strike] encouraged multiple parties that had to work with proportional representations, I might like it better.
However, being on THR for three years, I've come to realize that I'm neither liberal, nor green, nor libertarian nor conservative. I'm all of those, rolled into a complex psyche with opinions that belong to all of those categories. I can't be - or is it that I refuse to be? - categorized or labeled.
IMO, labeling someone as a "conservative" or "liberal" is a gross over-simplication of a complex human being with complex views. Sure, some are strict conservatives, or strict liberals. But scratch many "liberals" [as many would define them based on their voting habits] and just beneath the skin you'll find some elements of conservatism. Same for most conservatives [as many would define them based on their voting habits].
It's that painting with a broad brush that keeps me out of political discussions. If people would discuss specific statesmen/women and their positions, or particular laws, I might play more often.
But I'm tired of painting with broad brushes; I'm tired of reading about this group or that group being bashed. I just won't play. So when I see a political discussion, I just walk away and find a thread where I can discuss guns ... or anything but politics.
OK, I'm wearing a flame suit.
Nem
Last edited:
rainbowbob
Member
Excellent points.
Only a narrow mind paints with a broad brush.
Clipper
Member
I avoid poor spelling and posts lacking punctuation and capitalization. I can handle the occasional slip, but the text message shorthand, as well as those who abuse the caps lock make the posts so unpleasant to read, I won't bother, and usually add them to the ignore list. I honestly wish there was a default spellcheck filter here that would automatically screen posts before allowing them on...
I dislike long-winded pontificators, and have many highly-thought-of (among THR types) members on my ignore list.
I avoid S&T, because I eventually wind up with the urge to slap someone.
I dislike long-winded pontificators, and have many highly-thought-of (among THR types) members on my ignore list.
I avoid S&T, because I eventually wind up with the urge to slap someone.
Brian Dale
Member
I still take part in some of them, for the same reason that high school chemistry students run laboratory exercises that have been done a jillion times before. Nothing new to the world will be discovered, but they're practice and a chance for newer people to see something for themselves and try it with their own hands. I think that those threads are useful in that regard.Eightball said:
Hey, Nem (and I mean this in the kindest possible way), you don't really need that flame suit. I think that it makes your butt look big.
I have many of the same thoughts about gross characterizations.
Sorry, Clipper.Clipper said:
The Tourist
member
Zundfolge said:
I was saddened to read that.
As I discussed with a mod in PM, there comes a point to where you have to take a stand and not just let the parade pass you by.
Don't you think for one moment I get by here untouched. I think I've received four warnings on conduct. You know what, it's worth the embarrassment and risk.
Have you taken a look out into cyber-space and seen the usual forum? Well, I have. In fact, right now I'm looking for a cooking and food forum for semi-professionals to get some more info for my job.
Think about that. In all of the hobbyist forums I can think off (short of model airplane boards) it's getting to the point where I'd rather talk to only tinkers and chefs.
I like THR. I don't mind the calls, and I don't mind tangling with the posers and the complainers.
I ride free without a helmet in a world where I can make decisions as an adult. Trust me, I ticked off dozens of people to say that. Well worth it.
I put THR in that same category.
FerFAL
Member
Hey! One of the knives I carry everyday is exclusively for self defense, and I don’t need a doctor … in spite of what my wife has to say
Came in handy sometimes. People don’t want to get shot, and most people don’t want to get cut/stabbed either.
I just read the title. Most of the time it pretty much fits what will be inside.
Sometimes threads that start out well end badly or really bad ones end up having a few interesting replies.
About mall ninjas and that kind of stuff, I found the original mall ninja thread (the one by Gecko) to be some of the most hilarious things I’ve ever read.
"Special shoes to climb walls.." Priceless.
Don’t know about you but I enjoy a good laugh. If some kid thinks it’s the real deal it’s his problem.
Of course sometimes people get confused an mix ninja fantasies with the real deal. If it looks like a serious person I try to chip in with advice.
It’s like everything else you read on the internet, on the paper or watch on TV. If you don’t like something you just change the channel.. or click somewhere else.
FerFAL
The Tourist
member
FerFAL said:
I agree with you 100%. I'm 58 years old, I've gotten my nose broken, I've worked 30 years and I've been married.
My part of the debate is that I know 'chicken salad' when I see it.
If I post pictures of the death-dealing implements known to man and exactly how I created those edges--right down to suppliers and price sheets--would you like your seven year old daughter to see it?
Of course not. You have control of her education and you monitor her cable access. Many parents do not. Most pre-pubescent kids know how to hack porn and even buy any item imagineable.
My point is a tangent train of thought--but an important one. If you and I want to savage each other in PM my guess is that the mods would allow it.
Having said that, there are standards here. And there is adult discussion. And responsible education. And I like that.
This thread appears to be open without a mod lock so we can talk, and share ideas, and offer differing points of view. And yes, complain and comment.
I never have to change the channel here. But I can pick and choose--and take that info to open debate. Even when a topic might not engage me as being relevant. However, it might be very important to someone else. But look here, the idea is being discussed.
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