Curious Newcomer

[Adam1605]

Hi everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum and this will be the first Political Forum that I have become a member of. I'm an undergraduate student at Northern Illinois University Studying Political Science. I was raised conservative, experienced a brief period of Liberalism, and now consider myself to be undecided. I would say that I'm probably Right Leaning at the moment, though I have far from made up my mind.

I'm very interested to see the type of discussion held here (i.e. ad hominem attacks vs intellectual debate) as well as the political make up of the members. Are there mostly conservatives? Mostly liberals? Are there a lot of independents?

Any way... any advice, tips, or answers would be much appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some good debates!

 

[daveman]

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

 

[Samson]

I would say that I'm probably Right Leaning at the moment, though I have far from made up my mind.



Any way... any advice, tips, or answers would be much appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some good debates!

A. Make up your MIND, for christssakes

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

B. See above

 

[Ringel05]

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

As the skin thickens one of these can be exceedingly helpful.

I have them available now. Special rate for n00bs, 20% off my usually (far above) retail price.
Just go to www.you'vebeenhad.scam, enter all personal data, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, SSN and we'll take care of the rest!
Happy Posting!

 

[Samson]

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

As the skin thickens one of these can be exceedingly helpful.

I have them available now. Special rate for n00bs, 20% off my usually (far above) retail price.
Just go to www.you'vebeenhad.scam, enter all personal data, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, SSN and we'll take care of the rest!
Happy Posting!

I have a N00b discount on these:

 

[Adam1605]

I would say that I'm probably Right Leaning at the moment, though I have far from made up my mind.



Any way... any advice, tips, or answers would be much appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some good debates!

A. Make up your MIND, for christssakes

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

B. See above

Why should I make up my mind? Is an open mind not a rare and precious commodity in a society where everyone is so staunchly on one side of the political debate that they fail to see the views and beliefs of there opponents of having any value?

There are millions of Americans who fall all over the Political Spectrum. Some of them are very far right and others are very far left. Still more fall somewhere in between that range. The fact of the matter is that a lot of very intelligent people believe very different things. That is what makes politics so interesting. Unlike math, there is no definitive answer. Every fact is open to opinion and all opinions are mailable.

Why would it be that there are educated and intelligent people on both sides of the same argument unless both sides had something to say for themselves? Why would so many people believe in something so wholeheartedly if one side was clearly right and the other was clearly wrong?

My first belief is that politics should be about cooperation, not conflict. My second is that circumstances change so that no one ideology is ideal at all points in history. Therefore the will and skill of the individual candidate is more important than a 'D' or 'R' next to his or her name.

If I ever do chose to identify solely with one party or another it shall be because I have a thorough understanding of both parties and because one has proven beyond a doubt to be the preferred choice.

And my skin is plenty thick

 

[Ringel05]

I would say that I'm probably Right Leaning at the moment, though I have far from made up my mind.



Any way... any advice, tips, or answers would be much appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some good debates!

A. Make up your MIND, for christssakes

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

B. See above

Why should I make up my mind? Is an open mind not a rare and precious commodity in a society where everyone is so staunchly on one side of the political debate that they fail to see the views and beliefs of there opponents of having any value?

There are millions of Americans who fall all over the Political Spectrum. Some of them are very far right and others are very far left. Still more fall somewhere in between that range. The fact of the matter is that a lot of very intelligent people believe very different things. That is what makes politics so interesting. Unlike math, there is no definitive answer. Every fact is open to opinion and all opinions are mailable.

Why would it be that there are educated and intelligent people on both sides of the same argument unless both sides had something to say for themselves? Why would so many people believe in something so wholeheartedly if one side was clearly right and the other was clearly wrong?

My first belief is that politics should be about cooperation, not conflict. My second is that circumstances change so that no one ideology is ideal at all points in history. Therefore the will and skill of the individual candidate is more important than a 'D' or 'R' next to his or her name.

If I ever do chose to identify solely with one party or another it shall be because I have a thorough understanding of both parties and because one has proven beyond a doubt to be the preferred choice.

And my skin is plenty thick

In this current environment, with a view such as that, thick skin won't cut it. Your gonna need a radiation suit.

 

[hjmick]

Advice?

Don't take this shit seriously.

 

[ConservativeDad]

My first belief is that politics should be about cooperation, not conflict. My second is that circumstances change so that no one ideology is ideal at all points in history. Therefore the will and skill of the individual candidate is more important than a 'D' or 'R' next to his or her name.

The vet who lives next door has both next to his name, which I now find very confusing

 

[HUGGY]

I would say that I'm probably Right Leaning at the moment, though I have far from made up my mind.



Any way... any advice, tips, or answers would be much appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some good debates!

A. Make up your MIND, for christssakes

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

B. See above

Why should I make up my mind? Is an open mind not a rare and precious commodity in a society where everyone is so staunchly on one side of the political debate that they fail to see the views and beliefs of there opponents of having any value?

There are millions of Americans who fall all over the Political Spectrum. Some of them are very far right and others are very far left. Still more fall somewhere in between that range. The fact of the matter is that a lot of very intelligent people believe very different things. That is what makes politics so interesting. Unlike math, there is no definitive answer. Every fact is open to opinion and all opinions are mailable.

Why would it be that there are educated and intelligent people on both sides of the same argument unless both sides had something to say for themselves? Why would so many people believe in something so wholeheartedly if one side was clearly right and the other was clearly wrong?

My first belief is that politics should be about cooperation, not conflict. My second is that circumstances change so that no one ideology is ideal at all points in history. Therefore the will and skill of the individual candidate is more important than a 'D' or 'R' next to his or her name.

If I ever do chose to identify solely with one party or another it shall be because I have a thorough understanding of both parties and because one has proven beyond a doubt to be the preferred choice.

And my skin is plenty thick

Think for yourself. I believe that is what the poster meant.

 

[Kat]

Adam..

 

[Granny]

I would say that I'm probably Right Leaning at the moment, though I have far from made up my mind.



Any way... any advice, tips, or answers would be much appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to some good debates!

A. Make up your MIND, for christssakes

Welcome, Adam. One bit of advice...grow thick skin.

B. See above

Why should I make up my mind? Is an open mind not a rare and precious commodity in a society where everyone is so staunchly on one side of the political debate that they fail to see the views and beliefs of there opponents of having any value?

There are millions of Americans who fall all over the Political Spectrum. Some of them are very far right and others are very far left. Still more fall somewhere in between that range. The fact of the matter is that a lot of very intelligent people believe very different things. That is what makes politics so interesting. Unlike math, there is no definitive answer. Every fact is open to opinion and all opinions are mailable.

Why would it be that there are educated and intelligent people on both sides of the same argument unless both sides had something to say for themselves? Why would so many people believe in something so wholeheartedly if one side was clearly right and the other was clearly wrong?

My first belief is that politics should be about cooperation, not conflict. My second is that circumstances change so that no one ideology is ideal at all points in history. Therefore the will and skill of the individual candidate is more important than a 'D' or 'R' next to his or her name.

If I ever do chose to identify solely with one party or another it shall be because I have a thorough understanding of both parties and because one has proven beyond a doubt to be the preferred choice.

And my skin is plenty thick

Advice from Granny: Don't get too prickley with Samson and develop a sense of humor.

Thinking for one's self is indeed a useful thing ... unfortunately there are those who don't want others to think. Those are generally the ones who themselves don't think at all - they just latch on to something and demand the allegiance of everybody else.

Welcome. It's a good board.

 

[Douger]

Watch out for the brainwashed. They're easily spotted by their avatars.
According to them there are several types of posters here ranging from Marxist, socialist, commies, pinko's, anti-murkins, hippies...............and them.
Real murkins.
OH and one Real Socialist.Yours truly.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

The debates are intellectual right up to the time when you as a NeoMarxist to back up any of their contentions ranging from FDR's Imaginary Greatness, ManMade Global Warning, the success of Keynesian economics or Reagan's Imaginary Epic Fail, then they get personal

 

[Samson]

Advice?

Don't take this shit seriously.

You're no fun.

 

[Adam1605]

The debates are intellectual right up to the time when you as a NeoMarxist to back up any of their contentions ranging from FDR's Imaginary Greatness, ManMade Global Warning, the success of Keynesian economics or Reagan's Imaginary Epic Fail, then they get personal

Are you calling me a neoMarxist?

 

[Samson]

The debates are intellectual right up to the time when you as a NeoMarxist to back up any of their contentions ranging from FDR's Imaginary Greatness, ManMade Global Warning, the success of Keynesian economics or Reagan's Imaginary Epic Fail, then they get personal

Are you calling me a neoMarxist?

No, he's referring to "You" in the plural: as in You = Other Members Frank considers "Neo Marxists"

This is like 95% of the USMB membership, including The Ghost of Gangis Khan

 

[hjmick]

The debates are intellectual right up to the time when you as a NeoMarxist to back up any of their contentions ranging from FDR's Imaginary Greatness, ManMade Global Warning, the success of Keynesian economics or Reagan's Imaginary Epic Fail, then they get personal

Are you calling me a neoMarxist?

No, he's referring to "You" in the plural: as in You = Other Members Frank considers "Neo Marxists"

This is like 95% of the USMB membership, including The Ghost of Gangis Khan

Genghis Khan... Any relation to Shaka?

 

[Samson]

Are you calling me a neoMarxist?

No, he's referring to "You" in the plural: as in You = Other Members Frank considers "Neo Marxists"

This is like 95% of the USMB membership, including The Ghost of Gangis Khan

Genghis Khan... Any relation to Shaka?

Oh you know him?

Yes, they are both famous Jazz singers

 

[CrusaderFrank]

The debates are intellectual right up to the time when you ask a NeoMarxist to back up any of their contentions ranging from FDR's Imaginary Greatness, ManMade Global Warning, the success of Keynesian economics or Reagan's Imaginary Epic Fail, then they get personal

Are you calling me a neoMarxist?

I dropped a "K" in ask should have read "Ask a neoMarxist" was not saying you as a Neomarxist