Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

I'm wondering how far this forum can go before it implodes. There is so much name calling, pettiness and flat out mean-spiritedness to make most people want to have nothing to do with the likes of many of you. Someone said in another thread (SamH?) that we might actually like each other if we met in person but because of comments made here, the possible friendship has been tainted. I know for me this is true. Quite honestly, there are a few here that I would leave a room if they entered. I couldn't trust them to not be as mean in person as they are here.

You think it is amusing to call those running for office names or degrading their names. If someone dares say that is wrong, then you attack them rather than give a valid reason for your words. Like it or not, one of these men or woman will be the president of this great country. I'm not convinced that I'm truly thrilled with any of our choices. Maybe if we could get the good parts of all three of them with a touch of those who have now stepped out of the race, we'd have a truly great president but that's not an option. We're stuck with humans.

Why is it so hard to discuss the policies, the stands on the issues, without getting down to a grade-school level? So you don't like Ms. Clinton's voice. So President Clinton is a womanizer. Check your history -- Washington, Jefferson, Adams (both of them), FDR, Eisenhower, Kennedy to name a few all had mistresses. Some were flat-out womanizers. We may not like their morals but it certainly didn't stop any of these former presidents from being very good at their job. So some of Mr. Obama's family is Muslim. That doesn't make him less of an American nor does it mean he would betray America for his religion (I remember these kind of arguments used against JFK for being Catholic). So Mr. McCain is not a young man. Doesn't mean he can't do the job.

What happened to showing basic respect to people? How about showing basic courtesy and respect not just to those you know and like or even the people that you've never met because the discussions are over the internet and happen to agree with you, but those who have a different political bent, whether they are disagreeing with your political views or even running for office.

I've learned quite a bit from some of my fellow TOTVers about the candidates and I appreciate the effort they have made to take the time to put down their views, what they have seen and heard, even the rumors (when stated as a rumor, not a fact). Much of it has gotten me searching the web for further information. Thank you for helping me to learn more and make a more informed decision.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Well said, Red.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Fear of being jumped on for having an opinion keeps a lot of would-be contributors from contributing.
Thanks Red I agree with your words...not just for politics, but all topics. Worst case should be agreeing to disagree with respect. This is America after all. It is our right.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Well said, RedWitch. I'm glad you spoke up. :agree:

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

These forums seem relatively tame to some of the stuff I have seen in the past on other forums especially Findlaw's many message boards.

Once had an extremely nasty usually anonymous person who baited me with hundreds of messages the Summer of 2002 on Findlaw's boards. He also continued with this for almost 4 years and I even went down in late September 2002 to the Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's headquarters to complain about this among other stuff and the Detective just looked at me like I was an upset kid and said that it was a lot easier for people to be nasty with one another if they are not face-to-face. I had to put up with this person on Findlaw's message boards up through February of 2006.

I did not even figure out who this anonymous poster was until late November of 2004 when he bragged about what he had been doing with me using his regular handle on Findlaw's message boards.

Best advice others gave me about this vicious poster was that I should just ignore him.

I have not seen anyone I would call really nasty on TOTV or if they have been particularly cruel the other TOTVers put that person in the penalty box so to speak.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Red:
:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

I cringe when things get "testy" in TOTV! I cringe when folks even begin a political discussion at some get-together, 'cuz I know it will eventually become nasty!

I remain antagonistic to all politicians today, because they seem to think that bashing the other guy is the only way to go! Wouldn't it be nice to have a calm, collected and pleasant discussion of issues?

Oh, well, I'm afraid I'm also pessimistice that that'll happen! ::)

SWR

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Think how nasty the comments made about Abraham Lincoln must have been back before April 15, 1865? Not sure if politics in the US has ever been all that civil.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

But do we really need to get down to the level of the politicians? Maybe, just maybe, if more people would try being civil and not name-calling others, especially politicians they don't happen to like or agree with, it might trickle up? Who knows, it can't hurt to try.

I do know that if I see a negative campaign, I will let that politician or party know I find those tactics objectionable. Amazingly, sometimes I even get a response. Does it change the behavior? Not yet, but, again, if everyone would let them know via email, letters, phone calls, that their ad, comment, etc. is objectionable (especially if affiliated with that party), it might start making a difference. Ditto for letting columnists know that there are better ways to get their point across than just using slurs, innuendo, etc.

No matter what, I can see no reason for an individual to promulgate the use of objectionable "nicknames" and the like to show their displeasure for another person -- whether just an individual or a politician. Most of learned by 3rd grade that calling someone a name was not okay. What makes it okay in a political venue?

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Thank you Red,

You said things well.

At the end of January, I entered into a discussion here on the topic of healthcare. We are all affected by that issue, no matter what our politics, no matter if we have insurance or not. The discussion actually went along pretty well. Nobody got hateful at all, and it seemed like there was genuine concern and interest. Everyone was not on exactly the same page, but that's what makes a discussion. It did not last too long, but it really was OK.

But lately I have seen some "discussions" where I peek in and then just leave. It's not worth getting into.

I come to TOTV to learn and to have some fun. Overall, I really like the ambiance here. If I come upon those here who seem to be trying to make themselves feel better by making others feel worse, I move on. - just like I do in real life.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

oshunluva, what did you say or mean?

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: With Red!

I have found that, over the years, the people that can do nothing more that call someone names while trying to make a point, have no point at all. Either their views aren't formulated clearly or strong enough to stand on their own. I agree with you because I love political discussion, but my skin just crawls when someone tries to slant the discussion by adding disrespectful nicknames. It's transparent and distracting. I have voiced my opinion on this a couple of times. I loved JFK's quote "I am not a Catholic President, I am just a President that happens to be Catholic." I might be off on that quote a bit, but that's the gist of it. Thank you for starting this thread.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Chels, hope you don't mind, but I have to give you the correct quote: "I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President, who happens also to be a Catholic."

I do remember being in the 6th grade in Kentucky, in a county that was about 99.9% Republican. My father's family was one of the very Democrats there. So, when it was time to have a political debate in school, I was "it" for the Demos. I'll never forget my opponent's speech, "Er, um, vote for Nixon." Not even with an exclamation point after it. I went on about JFK's war record, his intelligence, the book he had written, the fact he was open and honest about his religious beliefs. I also mentioned Nixon's checkered political career, especially the McCarthyism. (Do remember this was the 6th grade and a lot of Kennedy's foibles didn't come out until well after his death. The press didn't think it relevant that he liked women a lot or that he had a bad back and used drugs, etc.) Well, Nixon won handily. JFK got 2 votes in my class -- one of whom was the little boy who had a crush on me. :a20:

Anyway, back on point. I just remember the quote because of that speech.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

Osh, I had replied to your post but deleted it. I don't know if you or anyone else saw it. For those who did, I apologize. While it didn't quite reach the namecalling stage, it did come close and I'd like to think I'm a better person than that and I know all of you here deserve better than that from me.

Re: Basic Respect -- Is it really that hard?
 

WoW, After reading this thread I guess it just proves how your parents raised you or what do they say, as the twig is bent so shall it grow. It is refreshing to have someone point out the realities of the reality. Remember, People of integrity expect to be believed and when they are not they let time prove them right. GO RED !!!!!!!!!