First and foremost: I certainly do not want to see any rules or restrictions on off-topic posts. I want to say that out front. I think rules suppress open discussion.
Now: Lately there has been an increase in the trend to derail any discussion by bringing up an issue that has been beat to death, an issue that has little or nothing to do with the subject at hand. In my opinion, it is nothing more than a means to stifle free and open discourse on some important issues.
Here is an example from a few months back:
I started a thread to discuss the value of cultural diversity: Something to think about (music, culture, ethnic identity, religion) The very first post was a complaint about a word that I didn’t even use. It had nothing to do with what could have been an enlightening discussion, but the thread immediately sank into another argument about the Left/Right political dichotomy.
It is obvious that the obsession with this perfectly legitimate English word is nothing more than a diversion tactic, a tool to “cancel” issues that some would rather not explore.
------------------ "Ain't no rest for the whiskers."
I don't think there is any problem here that calls for a solution. The "williegoat" himself says at the very outset here, that he isn't calling for new forum posting rules or guidelines.
The first of the two topics that williegoat has reviewed turned into what I think is a fulsome and valuable discussion.
The second of the two topics just kind of fizzled out, because no one who saw it was that excited about the quotation from Thomas Sowell.
Originally posted by rinselberg: The first of the two topics that williegoat has reviewed turned into what I think is a fulsome and valuable discussion.
Yet you thus describe that very topic:
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The second of the two topics just kind of fizzled out, because no one who saw it was that excited about the quotation from Thomas Sowell.
I started a thread to discuss the value of cultural diversity: Something to think about (music, culture, ethnic identity, religion) The very first post was a complaint about a word that I didn’t even use. It had nothing to do with what could have been an enlightening discussion, but the thread immediately sank into another argument about the Left/Right political dichotomy.
I felt it was a very "enlightening" discussion. You posted a comment which was a perfect setup/intro for my comment. I wasn't about to let that golden opportunity go to waste.
I detest the term "world music". It is a blanket term, a wet blanket that is too small. It will leave you cold. Honestly, I think it is condescending and patronizing.
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Originally posted by Patrick:
I feel the same way about the term "leftist", which is thrown around this forum (by a few members) with reckless abandon. Anyone who isn't alt-right is immediately categorized as a leftist. I don't understand the mentality of people who are so narrow-minded.
Hacks for DIY and at-home hair styling that can take a scissors (so to speak) to those eye-catching invoices for salon services to create and maintain those "dreads."
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 10-19-2023).]
Hacks for DIY and at-home hair styling that can take a scissors (so to speak) to those eye-catching invoices for salon services to create and maintain those "dreads."
That is literally and figuratively out of Left field.
Adrift.....or more to the point, mired in the Sargasso sea.. of politics .
Having said that, I have from day 1 as a member here, stated that once I press 'submit reply' the thread is not mine but belongs to the Fiero community at large and is free to go where that sea of voices (text) takes it. I still believe that.
Little drops of water, little grains of sand Make a wide, wide ocean in a lonely land When a new ship anchors and she don't appear I make the ocean wider with another tear Rockin', rollin' ocean With your briny foam Bring my sweetheart back to me Bring my darlin' home
The lights in the harbor Don't shine for me I'm like a lost ship Adrift on the sea Sea of heartbreak, lost love an' loneliness Memories of your caress, so divine I wish you were mine again, my dear I am on this sea of tears Sea of heartbreak (Sea of heartbreak, heartbreak)
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 10-21-2023).]
Adrift.....or more to the point, mired in the Sargasso sea.. of politics .
Having said that, I have from day 1 as a member here, stated that once I press 'submit reply' the thread is not mine but belongs to the Fiero community at large and is free to go where that sea of voices (text) takes it. I still believe that.
I think it is great when a thread wanders, just like natural conversation.
My objection was to intentional, incessant deflection.
...the argument that a word is just a word is bogus. It depends on how that word is being utilized. Referring to a male child as a "boy" for example is fine. Addressing an adult black male as "boy" obviously has negative connotations. The word "leftist" is itself not a negative term, but when it's constantly being used (by certain people) in association with every evil on the face of the planet, its use becomes more than tiresome. Simple-minded morons then use the term "leftist" to try and demean anyone who doesn't reside on the far-right of the political spectrum... and that's why there continues to be kickback here over its misuse.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-22-2023).]
There are forum members whose remarks in this Politics (& Religion) section include the words "the Left," or "Leftist," or some other close variation of that, with astonishing predictability. They seldom post anything in this forum that doesn't "go there" directly in that way.
The contexts they use makes it derogatory, but it's also a "catch-all." Almost anyone seems to be a "leftist" in their eyes. You could say that this is the randomization of the word "leftist."
If almost anyone is a "leftist," then it is not a meaningful term.
I use nouns so that English speaking people will understand what I am talking about. Nouns are labels. The word Leftist is a noun, a label. Labels facilitate communication. If one consistently agrees with Leftist ideology, he is a Leftist. I use the word Leftist to label such people and their ideology.
I would be insulted if one were to call me a Leftist. If one views the word Leftist as insulting, I can only conclude that he understands the truth behind Leftist ideology.
Why don't you take that up with Wichita? It is not my problem.
Now, I could use the tactics of the infamous Leftist Guru, Saul Alinsky, and suggest that you won't take it up with Wichita because you are afraid of Wichita. Are you Wichita-phobic? That would make you a bigot, right?
[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 10-22-2023).]
Originally posted by rinselberg: If you have a specific "beef" with Rashida Tlaib or Pete Buttigieg, that could make for a discussion worthy of homo sapiens.
Let's thread drift. My beef is that they are both leftoids.
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Originally posted by rinselberg: Reducing the congresswoman to a "leftist man" or calling the former "Mayor Pete" a "leftist woman" is only worthy of homo wichita.
You must be a leftoid. Reducing ? How bad did your butt get hurt ?
Call me what ever you wish. You do not have to call me for dinner. Just don't forget "last call".
[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 10-23-2023).]
Bimbo bought my favorite Texas brand bread.... Mrs Bairds Bread. They still sell Mrs Bairds bread, but has a different packaging and a little Bimbo emblem at the bottom. (Bimbo is a long standing mexico bread and pastry maker)
And to drift his over into Williegoat's wheelhouse (and a distinct memory from my own youth..and maybe even Patrick's)
(don't get me started on Penny Candy. I had a rather wild 3rd cousin named Carmelita, who if her name were Sharon, would be known as Sharin' Sharon......)
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 10-23-2023).]
