Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More
Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More
#31
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#32
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I have several reactions …
The sometimes emotional discussions and talking past each, while lamentable, is also IMHO unavoidable and simply a reflection of the reality we live in. Look at the news and the breakouts for any given issue … Ferguson, CIA report, election results etc. I think, if we step back and look at the big picture, we recognize we are going through a societal evolution that happens predictably over the course of several generations. (The book, “The Fourth Turning” has a good analysis of this view). For those of us who remember high school history, the “Era of Good Feelings” was replaced two generations later by a civil war. My point is, if we are to have any discussions of political or current events topics, most of us won’t be around to see a world where civility reigns in discourse … not that it ever truly has. When a very large group of the citizens agree on a world view, the discussions will taper down … why not, we would all then be in agreement. We are obviously in kind of an alternative state at present, and it’s been evolving since the 1960s. I was not on TOTV during the days of the prior political board that people keep referring to so I don’t have firsthand knowledge. But, I think I have the gist of what happened … name calling and all that. But, seems to me that can be moderated and dealt with. The other factor, which I totally concede, is the business model of TOTV. If they want “no politics” and prefer for business reasons to keep it pretty much at the level described in the sticky note “…We strive for this forum to be only happiness, fluff and light” then it’s their right to do that. However, with all the things of true importance going on in the world, and having to be hamstrung or prevented from discussing these issues seems to have a very large downside … pretty boring. Maybe that’s good business here in The Villages? It’s also pretty clear … if we did have a dedicated political thread, then no one would force people to go there. In fact, that’s a microcosm of the entire philosophical divide is it not … “free market” (go there if you want, but if not don’t) vs “statism” (hey, we forbid it) I like TOTV, and will continue to look and participate from time to time, but I have recently looked to more flexible boards that permit people (within guidelines etc) to discuss those issues that truly impact our lives. Unfortunately, and as it turns out, life is not “happiness & fluff” after all. |
#33
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I never got involved in the political thread or section but I felt it was a loss to have it closed because of a few screwballs who could have been dealt with individually. Civil discourse does not have to be 'nicey nicey' or pleasing to most, it just has to be civil and respectful, in a two way street sort of way. Good thread Ed. |
#34
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#35
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Are we a reflection of Fox and MSNBC or are they a reflection of us?
Many people turn to those types of entertainment news outlets as their main, if not only, source of information about the world around them. With one source of information, thinking becomes more in line with that source. Because inflammatory news will trump fact based news in ratings any day of the week, the sources become more tilted as they scramble for more viewers. What we now have are two major "news" outlets that are far more interested in pushing their skewed agenda than in actually reporting news that has been investigated, fact checked, and vetted. With so many people engaged in one outlet or the other as their major source of information, it is easy to see how political forums can quickly become a tug of war between two complete extremes of the spectrum. Sadly, many of us who are a blend of viewpoints end up not participating in political forums for fear of being harassed rather than enlightened.
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Wanda Village of Collier ![]() Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before. ~Mae West ![]() |
#36
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#37
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As far as the character or following or bias of the different providers we all have our respective opinions of what they may or may not be...right or wrong! The moat disheartening of your commentary is the last sentence which I have highlighted a portion. We all KNOW those who are destined to do nothing more than stir the pot or bait or name call are in the minorty of participants....and at a very, very low single digit % of the total. Yet when discussing political forums these few and their unacceptable behavior is all that people seem to want to highlight. And then there are those with a fear of being harassed and hence decide not to participate. That is just so wrong and plays directly into the objective of the smattering few. The best defense as proven by most of our previous experience is to ignore them. They have no basis to continue if there is no patter with them. Why not join the majority of us who are capable of discussions, including contested issues or disagreement and enjoy and learn from the valid discussions. These rabble rousing posters are akin to terrorist in one manner of speaking as they, by your own words, generate fear. Join the rest of us and do not give them that satisfaction. |
#38
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__________________
Oldcoach Ed "You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails" "Be yourself - everyone else is taken" |
#39
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Billie, I agree that YOU are not single sourced, however I would not extend that compliment to a majority or even a significant minority among political Partisans.
__________________
Oldcoach Ed "You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails" "Be yourself - everyone else is taken" |
#40
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I think that most have a certain view of the world that they don't want interrupted. All of us think we are right. I dislike people who down any group of people without thinking about it a LOT. Not all rich or poor people are corrupt. Not all black or white people are good. Not all religious or non religious people are holders of the truth. Not all bright people are smart. Not all non Mensa people are uneducated and incorrect. Not all people who have always voted one way are right nor are all people who have voted both ways. Sometimes we have to learn to say things without malice even if we are mad...and talking about our values and having them challenged does make us mad. To call someone uncaring, without compassion, is hurtful, and only ONE point of view from the direction of one person's values.. We are all thinking we look at the world the right way. But we all can't agree. I think taunting and name calling and stirring the pot, pretty much shuts down any discussion and debate. And there are some that always do just that, and we know who they are. Also we all get mad and retaliate with the most stinging criticism we can come up with sometimes. My husband says the anonymous people can say anything. AND he is right. There are a lot of cowards hiding behind their computers. But there are also a lot of genuine, thoughtful, wise people who are anonymous too. We know who they are. And we can be either, most of us, on any given day. We cannot get to five decades of life or better without feeling passionate about what we believe in. We CAN'T.
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It is better to laugh than to cry. |
#41
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__________________
Oldcoach Ed "You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails" "Be yourself - everyone else is taken" |
#42
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IMO the problem is two party system, you have party line sheep that can't think for themselves or have been hoodwinked. This goes for both parties. I find if enough tell lie and repeat it enough now all of sudden it's true. I have voted both democrat and republican and have lived to regret both due to the fact they do one thing to get elected and another when in office. IMO it boils down to who can lie the most and get blind following. Once you blind you can't see!
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#43
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Few issues of any significance can be discussed without some "politics" working its way into the discussion. Unless TOV is content to be relegated to a meaningless bit of fluff-- discussing only issues such as parades, favorite beaches, and dog poop on lawns, I would say bring back the political forum and let political references creep into other areas, where relevant. When was the last time anybody came up to you and said, "Hey, you won't believe what I saw on Talk of the Villages"? If one wonders why such a tiny percentage of Villagers log in to TOV and why a handful of members seem to be responsible for the majority of the posts, I think the answer is because TOV is generally boring and very seldom discusses anything of real significance. My suggestion to the administrator: Don't be so sensitive about somebody's possibly getting upset because somebody else disagrees with him or her. Liven up TOV. Allow discussions of politics and other controversial topics and let the chips fall where they may. Just keep the discussion civil by not allowing personal attacks on other members. Last edited by Advogado; 12-13-2014 at 04:04 PM. |
#44
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Excellent post. Well stated.
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It is better to laugh than to cry. |
#45
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Just to clarify, I did not say controversial Or political threads should be banned and I also stated I would like to see the opt-in poli board resurrected. I simply stated that for my own well-being I am going to try and avoid them for the most part, unless the poli board comes back. BTW there are countless other forums that invite political discussion, including some that are free-for-alls - I am a member of one such board and used to participate in the political forum there, but left it a few years ago and only occasionally see what they are saying, and usually am amused and disgusted at the same time when I do.
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Oldcoach Ed "You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails" "Be yourself - everyone else is taken" |
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