Take the Vow to Share No More Political or Social Memes!
 

It is now known that a great many of the supposedly clever or trenchant or incendiary political or social memes we see online are spread by Russian or Chinese security or government or military agencies as a way to destabilize our country and make us hate each other. (They are also spread by other governments and also by people trying to make money.) If we share them because we know they are over-the-top, but we think they are funny, or even think they are true, we are helping to rip our country apart.

Therefore, I hereby vow that I will share no more social or political memes on social media, from now on. I may share photos of puppies or kitties or clouds or wild animals or sunsets or whatever, but nothing that mocks or belittles or demeans or lies. I may share useful articles from reliable sources about political issues or social interests. I will continue to like and support who or what I like and dislike and not support who or what I like. I may continue to make my opinion heard. But I won’t do it with these politically or socially divisive memes because I love my country and want what I think is best for all of us.

Will you join me in taking this vow? Let’s take this country back to when we generally got along with most people and were polite to most people, even when they scared us, no matter their party, creed, or color, so long as they behaved themselves and obeyed the law and had a smile and an honest handshake. (Okay, now I’m just getting silly, but you know what I mean.)

Please join me. Civility is the path to respect and cooperation.

Sorry cannot agree.
If you lose the ability to laugh at yourself, and life in general, you lose your biggest weapon against those who would want to harm you.
I am all for civility, and would take that as just normal discourse.
JMO.

Well, there's the crux, isn't it.

But I certainly agree about the lack of civility and respect. Someone who replied to a club-related email chain had a signature line that the world would be much improved if all [specific party members] died from Covid-19. Is that really what we've come to, for pete's sake?

It's been a truism since all of us were kids that politics and religion should never be discussed in polite society. I'd be happy just going back to that!

I agree. I don't think that the things that make us mad about political discussions are "memes from Mars" but the true things said by people we care deeply about and who look at things differently. We then (we THINK) answer these misguided souls back, patiently and intelligently, and they they are hurt and mad because we don't see things their way.

Living in the South is the first time I have encountered anti-Catholicism. (Not that I am such a good example of piety. ) It doesn't feel nice to be dismissed when you have been accepted all of your life for your faith. It HURTS to be criticized. Teaches me to try to look at things from another's view.

And that is hard if not impossible. That is why our mother's taught us manners and that kids in the MIDDLE of this country were told to keep their mouth's shut. Not so on the coasts.

Now I've done it.

Good Morning. It's gonna be a beautiful day in The Villages.

Anything that says copy and past to your timeline or share with all your friends is a scam. Many of the "games" are simply designed to obtain personal information. People are far too naive about social media and do not understand how easy it is to be manipulated and scammed. Just Google copy and paste scams and game scams on facebook.

I would agree other than the times that I see something of interest and want to share.

So posting only reliable sources that one person believes
 

but not one that someone else believes???

Excellent idea, but don’t stop here, another 330 million people need to be persuaded.

Nope
 

Civility no ! to much riding our country’s future as well our immediate well -being . Not sorry !
Breaking Down and exposing the dangerous and morally corrupt Is righteous.

I feel the same way somewhat but, the thing is we have to get our views and ideologies out some way as to get our country back. So I and a bunch of my friends use any media we can to preserve and get our way of life back.

The Russians are coming!
The Russians have been involved in the attempt to subvert our elections and ideological thinking for decades/half a century. This is not new, even though some have made it a political ploy when goals, records and policies are not strong enough to move the majority of America's ideology of a small gov and freedom to think independently. I will not say more on that in fear of violating the political rules.
I agree with civility. But, calling it as it is should not be considered being UN-civil. Being politically correct should not be a prerequisite for employment unless it is determined to be essential in a diplomatically sensitive job, such as an ambassador. Using one's sensitive nature as a crutch just shows how weak that person's argument is. Case in point; an employee in the media was just fired for using the descriptor of "colored" instead of "person of color" to describe the candidate for VP. He said it was a thoughtless slip of the tongue and not meant to be demeaning in any way.
How can anyone have a civil conversation about politics or religion or for that matter anything that is of personal importance when the conversation extends over a protracted period of time, such as political campaigning? Ooops, close to crossing the line again. Sorry. Hard to have a discussion on here on this subject without using examples.
It is when an argument turns to violence such as the current rioting in this country, that's when the discussion has turned from disagreement to out of control, physical reaction that changes from two people having different views to two people becoming enemies.
We have experienced lawyers battle it out in court like they hate each other, only to later see them later having lunch or drinks. Same with our politicians. That is the difference between professional adversity and taking a theme personal.
I have no hate for anyone that disagrees with me. But, threaten violence against my family and/or property and we become enemies.
The old KGB was instrumental (and Russia still is) in attempting to destroy our democracy from inside our nation for a long time. Our intelligent agencies have known about it since at least the '70s that I know about and maybe longer than that. You can now Google a list of media and businesses that they have subsidized/owned, etc. that they have power to manipulate. That list used to be classified, but most of it is now available on the Internet. The idea is not to be so easily convinced on a subject by media/blogs, etc. but to verify or fact check statements. A lot of stuff attributed to someone might actually be either actions of another that held the position previously or maybe just plain distorted information used as a weapon to manipulate your thoughts/view.
The Russians are no more a threat today than they were decades ago. They are just being used to manipulate the focus away from real issues. Yes, the Russians are a problem, but this problem is not new.
Civility deals with one's mental state of being. If you agree, then that person is civil. If you do not agree, then that person is not being civil about it. Yes, it depends on how intense the disagreement becomes, but it is still a state of mental being.
I can say "he's a DA" in a affectionate way. Or, I can say it in a demeaning manor, meaning that person is stupid.

Just a long way of saying, you are asking for everyone to be civil based on a presumption that your view is the correct one. Some subjects are just too intense to avoid becoming heated unless one side concedes before it becomes verbally poisonous.

You are looking in the wrong place if you are expecting to find a politician that is NOT morally corrupt. Kind of like saying that when you interview a person for a job that you are looking at his/her religion, gender or sexual persuasion to see if it conforms with your moral compass. Personally, I do not have to like a person to approve or disapprove of their job. I hired solely on ability and record of job performance. When I vote, I do not vote on appearance or emotions but on the ideology, goals and policies that conform with mine and whether or not I believe there is a chance that the person I vote for can and will perform their job with that intention. My preference is job performance over appearance and character.

I'd rather purchase a car that runs great and is durable than one that looks great and is comfortable but doesn't have an engine so I can't go anywhere. Everyone would like to have both, but when it comes to many politicians, it ain't gonna happen.

Here is a simple way to start back on the road to civility. When passing another Villager with an opposing political sign on their cart or cart DO NOT GIVE THEM THE FINGER. Let’s start there.

Even though I did not share political dribble too much I posted this on Facebook a month ago:

I really appreciate all of the posts I view.

I have decided to no longer share posts that further the vitriol that is exploding in our universe.

I still want to see what you share. I still want to see an exchange of positions between individuals.

I will support my country and my constitution. I will NOT support those who exploit it for anarchy.

I will support law & order.

I don't want YAHOO to stop allowing COMMENTS. ( I have always used Yahoo but will have to change in light of what I consider censorship.)

I still want to see uplifting, non religious posts. Your belief is yours.

I am ready for the virus to be over, the violence to stop, and the divisions to be healed.

I want the legislature to work TOGETHER.

I want the education system to stop being an indoctrination by individual or organization agendas.

I want legislatures, teachers, and anyone else not working to bear the same benefits as the everyday citizen. If you are not working, you had better be on unemployment or looking for work, (oh I know I will blasted for that).

Lastly, you had better vote, as much as we have heard this time after time, it is beyond important now, no matter what side of the isle you are on. Many people that know me understand my position, if you do not vote or did not vote, you have abdicated your right to an opinion and/or whine about what could/or should have been. I will not debate your positions either as you do not stand behind them

This is my own views and opinion. I had a HUGE positive response.



I still read others posts but I do not share on my FB account. I do share cute kittens and old people jokes, so if you fit that category don't be offended.

in case you forgot---NO POLITICAL REFERENCES ARE ALLOWED ON THE WEBSITE.

Scams
 

Hope you don’t mind but I am going to steal your words.
Thanks I hate those copy and paste as much as send to12 of your friends

Thanks

Feel free. People should know these innocent looking posts are actually scams designed to build fake pages, get personal info and propagate fake news.

I believe in discussing religion and politics. I believe in civility and politeness, but I don’t like political correctness. I like to do the right thing, whether or not it is “politically correct.”

I would suggest, however, that civility should mean not only being civil to those with whom we agree, but to those with whom we disagree. We should try to get along despite our differences in opinion. That’s so much harder when we share outrageous memes—and I mean no matter what our beliefs are—I’m not limiting this to one side or the other. Both sides are sharing memes that are unfair. Very few people change their opinions based on being insulted or seeing their candidates insulted.

I agree that the Soviet Union and then Russia have been trying to damage our country for years. However, I have never seen before 2016 this attempt to divide us from each other and make us hate each other. Remember how we came together on December 7, 1941? Remember how we all stood together on September 11, 1941? I am NOT blaming one party or the other, but we should discuss things, not laugh as we offend each other.

We have many animals online. How about residents sharing contractors information pricing details quality as opposed to yeah I used ABC, there are so many contactors waiting to take advantage of new people and the elderly.

How about being a neighbor ? If you don’t see them check on them or if they need help do do. When I lost use of my hand for 5 months all I received was 2 nasty neighbors banging on my door asking when I was going to save a tree and the other complained about my lawn guy who quit 2 weeks earlier. They saw my brace. They both had lawn mowers. Nope no offer instead they called and complained and I got a letter. Not a hello not a how are you and yet I gave them tax forms as a courtesy. Not even thank you. I’m going to take the advice of many, sell the house after a year and move. It is not the friendliest place in Florida. Especially when you’re a woman alone. God forbid don’t ever get sick or injured here as there are no resources to help.

We have been here for 6 months and by and large find people to be friendly. Could be you managed to find a home on an unfriendly block.

Unfortunately, we are all too deeply entrenched in our political persuasion, I can only hope and pray that FACT CHECKING will be the new norm instead of basing on political party, which in most cases doesn't resemble our beliefs.

We are planning to retire to the Villages. I am hopeful that we are moving to a place of civility and away from the rat race. Keeping our fingers crossed. It was wonderful when we got out of school and everyone worked together and respected others point of view.

Here, here! I vote for civility. And that was a beautifully way of putting a desire to return to past, less confrontational and polarized times. It is a wonderful desire, a wonderful aspiration. I fear, but with some small degree of hope, that we have gone too far - that a return to civility requires us to overcome some obstacles in the next months of the year. Then the progress will be slow and tedious. I fear that the forces of anti-civility are strong and have been getting stronger. I often ask, "where do you go when you've gone too far"? We can't curl up in a ball and hibernate like a bear until it all goes away? There is a whole laundry list of things that have gone too far. They all affect CIVILITY.
Wealth disparity - - - now that we have gone too far, what can we do? Ask people to give back their wealth for the common good. Now, THAT would be a CIVIL thing to do. It would help stabilize CIVILization and society. Will that happen overnight? - NO way! Can changes to the Federal and State taxes due the job? Yes, after years of a "pulling teeth" type of struggle. Will that happen? - I doubt it. So, CIVILITY is a nice HOPE that is tied to everything else in society. I and we can hope for it. I don't expect it in my lifetime and there is very little that I or any one person can do about it.
Global Warming - like the fires in California - how is that related to CIVILITY? Well, to be overly philosophic about that question - we, the main polluters of the world, have NOT been CIVIL toward mother nature, the earth. Then, mother nature reflects back that negative energy upon us. For example, many countries in the Southern Hemisphere are experiencing crop failure and extreme poverty which in 50 years will have them migrating northward to Europe and the US. That will cause wars, which are an ultimate form of INCIVILITY. Right here and now in Florida, it is predicted that the Hurricane Season will be THE worse in 37 years. This COULD (?) create uncertainty, chaos and therefore incivility. Issues of confusion or chaos that are smaller than the large pattern of Global Warming can also generate INCIVILITY. For example current uncertainty surrounding voting issues - there will be some degree (large or small?) over the issue of voting.
My conclusion is that large, very large patterns CAUSE this somewhat vague feeling that we all have about CIVILITY decreasing. -----apologies for the length of this post.

Hard to make the arguement that CIVILITY is bad????

Reference to post #11.Long post #11. Well, that had a lot of detail. I had a good laugh at about the middle with the part, " Ooops, close to crossing the line". That was funny! Maybe because you ARE happier than others. Or just thinking that you are happier is satisfying?

All seems nice in your manifesto, EXCEPT ONE thing that is the only thing that can allow all your other points to happen........

Without TRUTH....you cannot have any of your other points. TRUTH and facts bring people together and that is just the way it is.

You did not indicate truth and facts as something you aspire for and all the rest is worthless without that, no matter what side of any issue. When you lie and demean, you actually destroy the process you aspire to.

None of my comments are aimed toward anyone.......it is simply a fact....you cannot, for example "work together" based on lies and demeaning...it is absolutely impossible. Having spent much of my life involved in the "system", I can tell you that honest folks, simply turn a deaf ear to someone known to lie......why waste the time ?

The foreign is working with our minds now. Covertly, not overtly with actions like Dec 7th and 9/11. The enemy is burrowing deeply internal to our borders and system. For example, recently a US Green Beret has been charged with spying for Russia for the last 10 years.

kidding -- right????

Happiness is a state of mind. I can be happy and still disagree with someone. I can not download my experiences with political systems overseas. One can only witness to others regarding what they are living in ignorance. Some believe they know what being a minority is, even though they grew up as a protected majority. There are so many spoiled elitists in this country that THINK they know how others should live. Empathy is one thing, but that only occurs when one can associate with the other's plight. Instead of looking down on others as being "unfortunate" show them respect by just treating them decent and as if they can fend for themselves. Why is it so hard for folks to understand the common Biblical saying that says "...Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
Sorry.......or excuse the digression.
Some things said are perceived as offensive by those looking, wishing for something to be insulting and offensive. I guess I have tough skin, maybe from how I grew up. I find many things that others suddenly find offensive to be funny. Therefore, I allow myself to be happier than many others. It appears that my little signature has caused consternation with some and THEY find it offensive. I find that amusing.
PC is over rated. Manners are constant and you do not need PC if you have a practice of living with manners.
I find it amusing that a man is fired for describing someone as being "colored" instead of saying "a woman of color." That is a great example of my being happier than others that find his comment offensive.
I find that my comments are long, but it seems that some do not quite comprehend short statements and misconstrue the intent. Therefore, a longer explanation is called for. Even then, I may not have been clear. If that is the case, then I have wasted my time. I do not apologize because an apology is warranted when one is sorry for something. I am not sorry, therefore I am happier than others. Get it?:ho:

We get it - your way or the highway. Keep up the long posts as you will. I read them. A few parts sometimes make sense to me. I don't agree with most parts, but some parts - some time. Your sentence structure is about as bad as mine. And your humor is scarce but as often as mine. Keep up the good work. And somehow you must be able to type fast. That impresses me.

Agreed ! More 1984, good grief. I am 100% for civility, and am amazed at the innuendo and outright mocking and name calling on this site, but the "Russians" are at it AGAIN, LOL, tell me another one, but for those who don't want to share a little fun with a friend or friends...oh, my, what next ? But, if it makes some people happy to not share some funnies, that's great with me (not that they need MY permission LOL !) but my grown children and I will still be sharing some of the best ! I need daily smiles.

Going back and reading what I posted convinces me that you are definitely correct on my inept sentence structure. Must have to do with my "fast typing" not working in conjunction with my thoughts. Or, maybe my thoughts are just scattered. I have to be careful with my humor, because my spouse has warned me that some folks "may not get it." Speaking of typing, what would we do without spell check? :)

I wish what you say to be true, but 5 days ago, the Senate......THE SENATE confirmed and detailed involvement.

This is by the Senate3 year investigation and is detailed in reports in most major media and trusted media. Or you can simply go to the Senate, but not wanting to jeopardize anything by linking to the thread.

This is so doggone important and yet people still mock it as if it never ever happened and now, NON partisan reports are telling how it happened and who. How many more need be indicted and convicted ?

This is important stuff. And I do not want to "tell you another one" because this is serious enough

I found out awhile ago that by staying away from politics on social media most people on both sides kind of liked me.

:)

The difference between telling a lie and being wrong
 

So many people here call you a liar if they disagree with you. That is offensive to me. Very few people lie. They simply relate what they believe to be true. If you disagree with a statement somebody makes, why not just say, "I disagree with that." Or ask for proof. There is so much vitriol behind the word "liar" because it presumes intent. I, like most people, am actually wrong on occasion. Just because you believe something is true that turns out not to be just means you are wrong. It doesn't mean you're a liar. A liar is someone who KNOWINGLY tells an untruth, and I don't think there are too many people who do that.

Reluctant to respond to this post, but I agree with the first part of your post....i.e., "liar" does presume intent.

I, like you, are wrong except that I am wrong on many occasion, not a few.

I always attempt to provide some sort of proof when I use that term on this forum, because I think also it is imperative.

Really disconcerting are accusations made with not even an attempt to allow some credence.

Who DOES that? My mom always used to tell me (and I told my kids) that you aren’t required to like everyone, but you are Expected to be polite.