Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

One of the forum's that I miss the most from the old SO Board is the "Current Events" forum.

Is anyone here interested in discussing politics. the war with Iraq...the current elections?

Not me, tends to be too devisive. I didn't participate in the debates then either. (old forums)

Politics and religeon are 2 subjects I don't easily talk about with people that aren't close to me because they are subjects that are "sore subjects" to a lot of people and easy to offend others and easy to be offended.

Those are areas that intolerance tends to rear it's ugly head.

How diappointing to learn that women on this board see no reason to discuss poolitics, the war and the upcoming elections. Political debate can be approached in an adult manner. There seems to be no taboo to discussing religion here???

The fact is, like it or not, if Americans refuse to discuss and learn about the issues that we are facing today....our future will be bleak. Like it our not, the upcoming elections, the candidates and the issues will form the future of our country, ourselves and our children and grandchildren.

Political discussion is the most important discussion that we can have at this time. Yes, at times, if we take things too personally, it can become uncomfortable....so what???? To not speak about this is even worse than being uncomfortable. The US is in big trouble...I care....I am stunned that no one else on this board cares.

Speaking with only those that we are assured will agree with us is not the answer, debate and discussion is healthy.

Actually I do speak to those whose opinions differ from mine... Though with such heated subjects.. I'd rather debate one on one with those I know will respect my opinion and I am able to have healthy debate with. Sometimes at the end, we still disagree but and feel it's ok for the other to have their differing viewpoint.

Unfortunately when debating on a public forum about one's opinion on God, the current war, or even the right eat meat... and now illegal immigrants issues are often time attacked by those who feel thier opinion is the right one and if you don't agree.. you are ignorant and need to be informed /told so. Take a look at those that write "Praise God" for something good that has happened... and someone has to take that and make negative comments on it or point out they are foolish for believing in God (and the few that are offended by the mention of God)... personally I won't go out of my way or waste energy argueing with a Bible thumper... I just leave them be- (I can read the Bible just fine... I don't need to be hit over the head with it) I'll admit though.. there are some boards that are really bad about it.

Let me explain further why....
Personally I don't think Bush is worth discussing when it comes to presidental election... good or bad... he's out of here. He's soon to be a lame duck.

I never vote by party affliation... I vote individually. Past view points, how easily they sway in their issues (is their opinions and values, and belief taken from a poll), how much the "party effects most of their viewpoint (basically can they stand up on their own or are they a puppet to a party), how well they handle their campaign, and do they have integrity etc.

IMO Both parties are corrupt in one way or another. Sometimes when it comes to voting it can really boil down to the lesser of the two evils.... Sometimes, Bill the Cat is the best choice.

I like to read the issues up for vote other than to be told how to vote or be told what they are about. There are times when small clauses are put in them to open up for future use to something I wouldn't agree to.

I hate it when a good policy goes down the drain just because the "other party" thought of it mentality. Nor will I go with the "because they are against the war" if they are against other things I'm for (visa versa). Their position on the war is not good enough to be the sole reason to vote for or against...
I am a veteran and my husband is a veteran of Desert Storm and currently a reservist. Veteran issues are important to me.. I'll ask a soldier about what they need before I'll ask a politician to what the vet needs.

I am never influenced by celebrities nor do I go against an issue because a celebrity backs it... they don't come in to the issue as far as I am concerned.

I HATE politics.... maybe because I do take the time to watch and analyze it and vote to what I feel is best despite the games that goes along with it... that is the main reason why I don't debate freely with everyone on it.<br><br>Post edited by: TigerRose, at: 2006/10/30 08:08

LaurenB wrote:

QUOTE:
How diappointing to learn that women on this board see no reason to discuss poolitics, the war and the upcoming elections. Political debate can be approached in an adult manner. There seems to be no taboo to discussing religion here???

The fact is, like it or not, if Americans refuse to discuss and learn about the issues that we are facing today....our future will be bleak. Like it our not, the upcoming elections, the candidates and the issues will form the future of our country, ourselves and our children and grandchildren.

Political discussion is the most important discussion that we can have at this time. Yes, at times, if we take things too personally, it can become uncomfortable....so what???? To not speak about this is even worse than being uncomfortable. The US is in big trouble...I care....I am stunned that no one else on this board cares.

Speaking with only those that we are assured will agree with us is not the answer, debate and discussion is healthy.

Lauren,

Wouldn't it be nice if that could be the one subject we could escape from here on the boards? I mean the political campaigns and advertising on tv have reached new lows as far as I'm concerned..

I do try to vote as an independent... There are things I like about each parties positions. I wish we could be totally bypartisan..

This board has so few regular posters and for me I'd just as soon keep conversations light and meaningful as much as possible. As I said earlier politics (and religion) can be very devisive..

Seeing how you reply to others at times and getting a sense of your basic temperament would make me wary of trying to enter into any meaningful debate with you.

More often than not you come across as an angry person. Just my perception and mho.

The political issues and considerations for many of us are different as this isn't a national election... But local and state elections going on. How can we have meaningful debates on those local and state issues. Most of us already have a made up mind in the national arena... and most likely in the local issues and elections as well.

Maybe you are looking for another arena to vent and not debate. I'm sure there are many forums already set up to do either or... (venting or debating!).

Personally, I'd rather not see this forum go that direction... It's nice having a respite from the daily barrage on tv, radio and news..