Okay this is Rant time for me.Alright I hate politics as you dontdare say who you are voting for on MylOt as you get flamed and flamed and flamed some more. I will not even mention whom I am voting for. All I want to know is what happens to mylotter friends when it comes to politics? Those whom I respect and love turn into snarling savages if you dare oppose the candidte they have chosen. I thought we were all suppose to respect each other no matter what the discussion is, are we not adults here and not little kids? I am angry!!! I thought we were suppose to respect eachothers views and opinions,instead I have heard a bunch of insults hurled at those who dared to stand up for the c andidate that they chose. what happened to respect? any answers, please?
[question posted by Hatley]responses and comments:
Of course not Hatley! This is America, and you can have your opinion and vote for whoever you want. But I think that some people take disagreement and disrespect as one in the same and its not. People also seem to think that once they state their opinion that somehow your opinion will change and get mad when it doesn't. [relundad]
hi relundad no this was not disagreement it was disrespect as in calling a person brainwashed who would vote for obama.to me this is disrespectful and on the verge of flaming. I expect disagreement as we have two main partys and so we will all disagree but to make nasty statements like brainwashed thats not kosher, I know I would not do that, I might think that mylotter an idiot but I will not call him that or infer it in any way.this is just as bad as religion. we are all trying to change the other persons choice, thats just not right. [Hatley]
It is a shame that it has happened. The best one can do is to learn as much as they can about each candidate, their policies and make the best decision they can. [irishidid]
hi irishkid that i am doing but I am keeping my choice to myself as its too dangerous here on mylot to do otherwise. I will lose mystar completely otherwise. [Hatley]
I keep my mouth shut too ma'am, I just don't need the added stress right now. Better not to be a target. LOL! [Irishfrndly65]
hi irish you are so right as always who needs that kind of stress [Hatley]
There is an old saying if you want to always have friends never discuss politics or religion lol [grammasnook]
As friends you should agree to disagree! [grammasnook]
hi grammasnook right we should agree to disagree but not to name call lol. [Hatley]
We have become an intolerant people, divisive, angry, full of non-existent absolutes, and the mentality that it's either your way or my way. Compromise or difference is the enemy - one single mindset is the absolute desire. I made the mistake recently of starting a discussion about evidence that a particular national leader had actually never intended to take a stand against enemies, but instead had another goal which was pursued instead. I stated that my intent was NOT to insult or offend, but that I wanted to know why, if we had this kind of evidence, we were not looking hard at it and why we were not seriously considering pursuing charges against such treasonous behavior. That I just wanted someone to explain to me what we should do if faced with this information regardless of party. Of course, the usual suspects made their appearances and I was accused of going to an anti site only (which is interesting because when their sites attack the opposition, they are NOT being anti, it seems). I said that truth is where you find it and you can't ignore it just because it isn't from your pet sites. I also pointed out that I have found good information on their own PRO sites that I have used on occasion, so it's not something I do just because it says what I want - I ask the questions because the sources appear to be legitimate and I honestly want to know what they think should be done given this possibility. So, today I noticed that my star points were dropping. I didn't insult them, I didn't call them names, I didn't fight with them - but I challenged them to provide an answer. Therefore, I had to be punished. I am to tolerate them, but they will NEVER tolerate me. I call these types myopic. They wear the blinders usually reserved for cultists. [jerzgirl]
jerzgirl I am sorry for what these morons did to you. I made the mistake of making a discussion on standing up for your beliefs that smoking was bad for your health and I got my star that was a ten taken down to a six overnight.I was hurt and even cried then complained to mylot . mylot caught three people who were doing nothing but hitting the negative key on all my comments and responses and discussions just in one night. I gathered that these people were banned. I had not called anyone names, I had not be disrespectful I just put forth what I knew about the dangers to your health by smoking. my did I get some really horrible comments and I just started to hit the mylot key and let them decide what to do. I am now back to an 8 in my star from a six. [Hatley]
I totally feel what you are saying right now. I read the political posts and sometimes I agree, sometimes I disagree and sometimes I am in the middle. Actually, me--I'm usually in between with most things. I am very much an independent thinker. It is just unbelievable how quickly adults turn into children when this topic comes up. I have a friend who is very conservative, and I will say that when we hung out a lot, in college, I considered myself very liberal. Now I feel like I'm a little more in the middle, because I have had deep thoughts about issues and realized that I didn't believe everything on either side. Anyway, my point is.. me and my friend were able to talk about politics and sure, I got annoyed with some things she said, and I'm sure she had those moments with me. But we never fought, never got mad at each other. We were mature about it, and I really think that's what the people of mylot need to do! We need to respect each others right to have our own beliefs and our own choices in who we vote for. This war over "my candidate is better than yours" really needs to end. And I really hope that by November 10th that people fighting will simmer down. I give it 6 days because well, I know there will be people who disagree with the outcome, no matter who wins! lol That being said, I am also not going to say who I support, but for a different reason.. I am honestly torn on that subject. I don't know who I agree with more/disagree with less. And that is my right, to not know. But we should be able to discuss our beliefs without being attacked. In reality, none of us are any more or less right about our choice of candidate. We believe what we believe, childish arguments are not gonna change where we stand on the issues because people say we are "dumb" because we don't agree with them. I may not agree with someone else, but I do respect them and their right to think the way they do! Use the great mind that God gave you, that's all you owe yourself, or anyone else. Hopefully I haven't offended anyone, because that is not my intention. But to Hatley, the original poster, I definitely agree with this. I am disturbed by the anger and hatred tone of some people on here lately. [greysfreak]
I never believe or agree with everything from either side, and that is the downfall. I really wish there was a third choice, a candidate who did not claim either party who took the best parts from both of the OTHER candidates who could run and have none of the BAD parts from both other candidates. Does that make sense? Right now there are also some things where there really are NO answers, sometimes things just have to get worse before they get better and we as citizens and consumers just have to slog through it as best we can. I don't think either candidate is 'better'. I think they come from completely different places, in life as well as experiences, they both have agendas which are personal as well as the whole 'you the people' aspect. I guess they can't help but be that way but it would be nice to have both of them cater to us more than they do. [mommyboo]
I agree Hatley. It's awful that one can not proudly say who they are voting for without fear of nasty responses. It also irks me that there are people who do nothing but post flaming posts against one party or the other. Everyone is entitled to their opinion ... yes... but as adults, we also have the responsibility to do so in a decent, civil matter, with open mindedness be non-judgmental when expressing an opinion different than their own. I don't have any real answers for you except that some people just were not raised to respect and tolerate others when there is a difference in opinion. That being said, there are may friends on my list whom I do not share the same political ideas, but on the occasion we participate in the same discussion (political or not) we manage to stay civil (much to my relief, I hate conflict!) You are also NOT stupid and NOT ignorant [dizzblnd]
It's not just here, Hatley. It's everywhere. I'm on another forum where I have chosen as my icon a graphic with my candidates names on it. Boy have I been attacked now that everyone knows exactly where I stand. People I thought were friends call me a moron just because I don't want the same candidate as they do. I am 56 years old and I have never seen people so divided and so angry as this year. [kenzie45230]
hi kenzie it was the same thing when I made the mistake of standing up for my belief that smoking is bad for your health. mystar went from ten one night to a 6 the next mornging and its taken me six months to get back up to a 8. somehow I do think mylot should control this star business when these discussions appear, maybe stop letting our fellow mylotters negate things and just take over for awhile but I guess that might be hard to control.I am 82 and was told I was stupid and ignorant because my choice of candidate was not theirs. go figure. [Hatley]
It would be ideal for people to discuss politics in that manner. It shouldn't matter, but people get so into their decision that they forget that it's okay for others to have their own. I try not to get upset, but I do too. I guess it's just our nature. [asandifer87]
You wonder why there's even more than one candidate... the way people go to war with each other over it. LOL! Based on that alone I think we need to remove 'United' from the country's name. [mommyboo]
Hi Hatley, There is something about politics that brings out the worst in people. I have definitely seen that. I made the mistake only once here. I will not get into any other political discussions no matter what. I got very upset myself. It is not worth fighting over political views when it really doesn't make much difference in the end one way or another. But it certainly makes for some serious arguments. For some reason all sense or respect and sanity goes right out the window when it comes to trying to have a civil discussion about either candidate so to me it is not worth it and I will stay out of all political discussions that take place here on mylot from now on before the election and maybe even after it. [Opal26]
hi opal you and me both, from now on I am not responding to anyting that smacks of politics at all. [Hatley]
I've found that in this race people are so reliant on sound bites and not really investigating the truth that they just hurl untruths at each other until someone gives up. I get excitable when discussing politics but I don't get personal and they only thing that really makes me mad is when people are just like "well you just don't read enough if that's what you think." The fact of the matter is that I have read quite a bit and can give my reasons for my candidate choice clearly and concisely. I am glad I did because it puts the "most people don't have a reason when asked why their voting for him." to bed. Debating can actually be fun but insults and name calling in my opinion just show that the other person doesn't know enough to sell you his/her candidate. [piniongrl]
hi opinion girl I have come to the conclusion that here on mylot if you dont vote republican you are a dirty rotten sc oundrel, and it okay to have your opinion as long as it agrees with mine [Hatley]
Well i would be saying who i would vote for if i were you Hatley.I thought thats what mylot was partly about,opinions,debates,having a laugh,helping each other blah blah blah.Just say it,you dont even need to give reasons,unless you want to.Really whats it gota do with anyone else.Just cos the majority perhaps says different,dont mean you have to or anyone else for that matter.Whining & moaning cos what one says is different from someone who thinks they know it all..no offence but i am glad i aint any American..all a bit of a mess if you ask me.happy [LoudnProud]
hi loudnproud you are so right its a big bit of a mess and now I am out of it. let people tear each other apart. I am gone. [Hatley]
Hatley as this is your third "rant" on politics and how the myLot members react I would have thought by now that you would have decided to just ignore that interest section. I do believe you said that you were going to stay away from politics as it put you in "danger". I know if this was a subject that I had to "rant" about repeatedly I would have the sense to stay away from it. [whiteheather39]
quote "And I am not stupid and I do have common sense.oh what the heck is the use. if you arent a repubican here you are dead meat. to heck withit all. " Now who is trying to be be insulting.? I have never said you or anyone else is stupid or did not have common sense...I do not have to - they usually show it themselves in their responses and discussions. I am not a "repubican"(?) but I am voting for McCain!!! I am a registered Democrat but Obama is not the kind of person I want as my president. [whiteheather39]
Hi Hatley, I always skip that post even if they are my friends..LOL! First, I am not US Citizen and I cannot vote here, second, I tried to read those post and I can tell how everyone was insulting to each other just to defend their opinion which is not a healthy discussions anymore..We can always make it healthy by not saying any bad word or painful words, it is always possible to defend our side without losing our respect but I didn't see that in any of those post...SO, I always avoid those! winkwinkwink [checapricorn]
hi checapricorn from now on I will not ever respond to that post friends or not, I will not take any more abuse, I have even stated that to mylot. [Hatley]
I have noticed that a lot of people get pretty heated on here when it comes to politics. Many people will even rate you negatively if you disagree with them. I would never rate someone negatively just because we don't share the same opinion. I think we should also be able to share our opinions and be respectful at the same time. The VP debate was a good example of two people respectfully voicing their political stances. [Lee_Rites]
hi lee I just lost three points over this discussion and responding to some others I was rated negatively for daring to have an opinion that seemed to oppose someone elses. not fair mylotters, not fair at all.against mylot rules. [Hatley]
I think when it comes to religion and politics then for some reason everything gets turned on its head. I guess that people are so sure that what they believe in or who they vote for is right that anyone else that dares to say different or who has a different opinion is asking for trouble. I reckon that it is impossible to have an open, friendly debate on any social network or discussion forum anywhere because it just riles people up to the point of violence. I do not know why, but it is the way it has always been for hundreds and hundreds of years. [gemini_rose]
hi gemini rose I should have known better and stayed out as I always said I would you c annot have an opinion here in mylot unless all agree with you evidently. not fair but who cares? [Hatley]
i don't think anyone is stupid or ignorant because they disagree with me. you're allowed to have your own opinion. what i don't like is when someone is voting for someone because OF something stupid and ignorant. i can't stand when they make arguments with fact that are factually inaccurate. i don't vote for anyone because of color or their background. i vote for someone for what they can do for me and my family and all the others just like me. i think sometimes we just have to agree to disagree. i've been known to get into some heated arguments but i never just attack anyone outright unless there is a reason behind it. [medney1988]
hi medney I studied and read and listened to educate myselfabout my choice so I didnt just choose blindly but it hurts to have my opinion ridiculed. [Hatley]
We can never avoid that other people are rude if your choosing the other candidates. I cant understand it though. I believe in respect too and i guess some people just cant control there temper during a debate. I dont understand either why there should be a debate lol If you like a certain candidate then go ahead and if you dont then just say nothing at all. I believe that if you have nothing good to say better not say anything at all. I dont understand either why some people cant just respect the opinions of others and there choices. I think everyone is entitled to there own opinion. [belk89]
hi belk89 I will this time never ever enter a political discussion as I do not care to be ridiculed for having my own opinion. [Hatley]
Hmmm ... we are all supposed to be adults here (he says, quickly reading the TOS, FAQs and Guidelines) but I guess that there are some topics which are always best not mentioned in any place where things are discussed - religion and politics being the main ones. Although, if you put your opinion forward on either of those topics, you are likely to receive very strong responses in opposition, it doesn't really mean that these responses are directed at you personally! If you think about it, most people who respond cannot possibly know you ... only what you say, which is not a complete picture. To take offence at what they say, simply because it appears to be a personal affront, is really ridiculous. I certainly wouldn't call you stupid just because you disagree with me. You (or I) might seem ridiculous because of our beliefs ... but that is an individual perception and we all have to be open to ridicule and, as adults, should know how to deal with it. [owlwings]
owlwings yes I guess we all have rights to challenge but do we have the right to say you are brainwashed or stupid or ignorant because you do not see my candidate is the best choice? No its against my lot rules if anyone cares to read them. So I will never again touch thesediscussions. let others rip each other apart I just do not care anymore. [Hatley]
i am like you. i dont believe in arguing over personal preferences. whats the use? people are going to believe what they want and we all have that right and should respect each others beliefs. i even took a person off my friends because every discussion they started was about their political candidate and veiws. it was as if they were campaigning on mylot and i dont think most of us are here for that. we get enough of it on tv, etc. [bunnybon7]
hi bunnybon I do think that each of us has the right to make our own choices and the right to be respected and not preached at. [Hatley]
people do get hot and bothered when they believe in something really strongly but that is no excuse to get rude and insulting, doesn't stop some people though, does it? [dawnald]
Never has! As long as there have been people, there is a group who gets hot and bothered about everything, a group that gets hot and bothered about nothing, and a group in the middle who is selective. It would be easier if people did not poke fingers at each other trying to claim who is right and wrong. That is in my opinion what causes the problem. I don't think opinions are ever right or wrong. They are just what individuals believe is best for themselves. [mommyboo]
It's not just here. It has been this way since time began. Do you know the adage "never bring up 2 things in polite conversation: religion and politics". It's not just happening to you. These have always been touchy subjects. [rocketj1]
I don't know what the deal is. I'm pretty apathetic about politics, I'd rather not know about it at all, but bottom line, everybody can vote for and/or support whomever they want. There is no clear cut answer here, neither (or any) candidate ever agrees with anybody's standpoint 100%. I'll be honest here, I don't like ANY of the choices. I'm not saying both choices are awful but neither one makes me cheer either. We are supposed to be adults, yes. I think people need to remember that it doesn't matter who we vote for or support. It doesn't come down to a countrywide popular vote, it comes down to a different number of votes given to each state and then THOSE votes are the deciding factor. Just hope that your candidate wins more of the 'larger' states and then you can be reasonably sure that your candidate will have an edge. I don't think there's anything wrong with anybody who votes for either one. We all have our own reasons for liking or disliking particular things. There are definitely things I don't like about Obama but there are things I don't like about McCain. Seriously, I am at the point of choosing the least of two evils, I'm not going to even sugar coat it or pretend I actually enjoy either one of them. I don't. [mommyboo]
I'm undecided, even at this eleventh hour. So, no chances that anyone will flame me. I don't have a particular favorite. I like some parts of each candidates platforms. But, not all. Wonder if we can combine all candidates into one big conglomerate? Best of all worlds. For me, anyway. Most people would be unsatisfied. [beautyqueen26]
I like it when you said we were all suppose to respect each other no matter what the discussion is, are we not adults here and not little kids! Bravo! That should really be the attitude of everyone here in order to keep the harmoneous and friendly atmosphere of myLot. We are entitled to our own opinion. We have different choices of our own. We know better than anyone else when it comes to who we should vote. That is our privilege and it is not the business of anyone to influence anyone for the choice of candidate or malign anyone just because his choice turn different. And even if not about politics. For any issue raised here... we should respect the opinion of others. We have to stick on just sharing our own and let us not go to the extent of hurling bad or insulting words to those who opposed ours. Make sure our breeding is something nobody can fault us with! [salonga]
Politics are dirty. They stir the mind of voters, incite hatred amongst family members while friends become foes. It is best to avoid politics when one is in business or in conversations. At the end of the day we make more enemies then friends and end up losers while the politicians are laughing the heart out sitting in high position in the office. After the campaign is over they will close rank among the political rivals but we voters will never be the same again. Let us agree to disagree with our friends and families on their political ideology. This is the path we take to stand neutral in the battle of politics. [zandi458]
Boy do I try to stay away from discussions about politics. Casual questions about forms of government, laws, all that is fine for me. But things get bad when people start talking candidates. Because we should all be able to talk about it in a discussion like adults, but obviously many people here cannot. And I just get fired up, so I try to avoid them. [AmbiePam]
No, you are NOT and don't let anyone here tell you any different. I say this without knowing who you support or don't support, I respect you for just being interested enough in our government to form and express an opinion at all. You're right, though, and I get angry as well. I've come to the conclusion that some people who are so passionate about their views that they really don't realize it when they're insulting those who dare to disagree but WOW, are they ever quick to accuse others of flaming them! Notice, I'm trying to give people the benefit of the doubt here. I love politics - note I said POLITICS not POLITICIANS - so I refuse to be intimidated into not posting here on that topic but a little respect would honest to goodness discussion sure would be nice, wouldn't it? It's amazing to me how for some people here if you criticize "their" candidate you'd swear you were insulting their spouse or lover! Annie [anniepa]
I don't think people are stupid or ignorant if they do not agree with me poilitically. Everyone has a right to view things as they wish. I really do not believe there is always a right and wrong side. [stephcjh]
I know, Hatley. I don't know why people treat eachother in that manner. I just hope they are teaching their children to have more respect for their fellow man than they are displaying. This morning I saw some terminology like "Obamunist" "Obomoron" -- it's bizarre. But you know Hatley, it says more about the speaker than about the person being spoken to. I kind of think it makes the poster feel superior or something. If it takes that kind of behavior for them to feel some self esteem, maybe we should feel pity. [MoonlightSerenade]
I don't understand this behavior either. I admit that sometimes I lose my cool and say (or type) something inappropriate, but mostly I try to maintain socially acceptable behavior. I'm good friends with people of all political stripes on this site. That's one of the reasons I like it here. [cripfemme]
Well duh of course you are. You stupid person for having your own mind. I mean hell you should be just like everyone else and be a sheep and follow what they are doing. I mean how can you evne think of having your own opinions? After all this is america where you do whatever everyone else is doing and saying, its ungodly and unpatriotic to do anything else you know. *rolls eyes* Pagan and Proud [darkjedi]
I think we need to re-evaluate and realise what sort of people really hangout in this place. Yeah, real friendly and loving and wonderful until they get an opportunity to put the boot in. Then, it doesn't matter who you are. I have had so many people talk to me of friendship and yet most of them have disappeared into the woodwork. Even some of those who I have swapped emails with do not respond when I email. If you are answering a friends discussion where you disagree with them why does it have to become a hate fest or at least a nasty response? Why can't people disagree in a friendly respectful manner? Why do some people insist on making their "friend " feel bad for the actions or choices. The sad thing is, I think all of us are guilty of being less than friendly sometimes.sad [MsTickle]