Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Well I am sick of all the Political ads. The Republican Candidate for Governor here in Mass has been so nasty with her ads. I was looking forward to having a break from them when I went to Chicago on Business last week. The ads there were just as bad and once again the republicans were nasty.<br><br>Post edited by: Tara, at: 2006/10/31 00:26

TigerRose wrote:

QUOTE:
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 &quot;sore subjects&quot; 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.

I agree!

Tara wrote:

QUOTE:
Well I am sick of all the Political ads. The Republican Candidate for Governor here in Mass has been so nasty with her ads. I was looking forward to having a break from them when I went to Chicago on Business last week. The ads there were just as bad and once again the republicans were nasty.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Post edited by: Tara, at: 2006/10/31 00:26

I agree, political adds are ugly, everywhere! I have been to 7 cities in the past 2 weeks......and they are just as bad everywhere!

That is why it is so critical that normal peole discuss the issue amongst themselves. TV adds are just that TV.......but, I believe in the intelligence of the American people to research and discuss these issues and come to an understanding of what is right ( even thought the past 2 elections did not prove this) peraps BECAUSE THEY DID NOT BELIEVE IN GETTING IN &quot;HEATED DISCUSSIONS&quot;. ( the caps are for emphisis.

TigerRose.............you said it so very well!!!

We are all affected by everything that happens but we all act and react so very differently.

Healthy debate and discussion as long as there's no mudslinging or closed-minded judgements can be very enjoyable!! I have a few (very few) close friends that can actually accomplish that!!! NEVER once has any type of civil discussion been held in my family when I was a kid.................and they still go at it. But now I have the power NOT to become involved....at all. It has nothing to do about whether I care or not..........it has to do with MY needs and my stress level that affects my children. That's where I am the one responsible for choosing the where, when and with whom to have discussions on certain topics.

I think if some enjoy just openly debating with anyone....that's fine. I do think they thrive with that.

But conversely, those who choose not to also thrive with their choices.

Bottom line is this.................the more compassion and genuine understanding we all have, the better the planet becomes for us and especially for our children.

on the topic of nasty ad campaigns, there was a news piece about that very thing on the BBC news page on monday that i found interesting called 'U.S. Election Ads: Hitting Below the Belt'.

here is the link if anyone is interested:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6085922.stm?ls

I firmly believe that you can't fully debate when you are preaching. A good debater listens to the other side's arguement. To some people it seems they think that to listen to others viewpoint fully is like agreeing with them... *Covers her ears.. lalalalalala I'm right because... lalalalalala.* or even... *You're wrong that person/idea is just the worst things ever so quite backing it up- lalalalalalala(Covers the ears)*

The best debates are one that more then being passionate for or against. It's more than just being right.

We, as humans, do desire to be seen as right.... our views are the right views, the best views, etc etc. Unfortunately that is not how the World works. I've come to learn that what works for me does NOT work for everyone out there.

Debating is used to inform but I do know a lot of people that claim they wish to debate and the only facts they bring to the table are what they are told/ believe and the undying knowlede... they are right. They bring ideas and conviction in one's own reasoning. They may very well be right... but they become aggressive or sarcastic about it and it makes others feel defensive and gives the idea a bad feeling.

Griz.. I totally understand... my father use to say he loved a good debate... he would listen to your side... then give his ideas... and if you didn't change your mind at the end... he was angry and went off the wall.... if you were able to change his mind... you wouldn't know for weeks...then he'd brow beat you with his new point as if you had been totally against in the first place.... I simply don't participate in it. I do have a friend that I have an ongoing debate with on Sex Registry. We do agree on some points and others we 'butt heads' on but we don't think the other is stupid, inhuman, or uncaring.

KPW- I too am wary of posting some things on politics and religeon because sometimes you can see intolerance of a few others here- esp towards certain ideas, beliefs, and certain people. Not saying they are bad.. just I don't like it because growing up with ADHD I heard a lot of intolerance in &quot;helpful&quot; comments. Also I can find myself intolerant of something and I don't like the results from my own intolerance.


It would be a wonderful thing if we could have level headed discussion where we accept other's viewpoint with tolerance.
Tolerance doesn't mean that you agree with the other person but you allow them their belief ... it's like forgiveness... it's better for oneself than the other person. Intolerance seems to bring anger and then resentment and the person being intolerated feels defensive and that can bring anger and resentment and defience.

ok I think I'll get off the soap box for now.