[Bonanza]

The comments I have read, for the most part, are powerful, enlightening and worthy of giving it all a second and even third thought.

Thanks, everyone. You've oiled my brain!

[graciegirl]

Good Morning everyone and y'all.


What a day full of sunshine.


Well, Good Morning and hugs anyway.

[zonerboy]

Yes, it is a good morning indeed.
It is unfortunate that as we age many of us become so fixed in our ideas, attitudes, and preferences that we are are no longer open to any thing new. We tend to confuse what are our OPINIONS with what is TRUTH. And this is very sad, in my humble opinion.
Never be so insulated as to stop tasting new foods, engaging in new activities, exposing oneself to new ideas. That's what keeps us alive.
If we think we already have all the answers, that we know all that is true, then we are so fixed we might as we'll be demand.
That's my OPINION. End of sermon.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Bucco

Totally ignore ALL cable news channels. They are, in my opinion, one of the major sources of divide in this country.

READ...so many piecs of information out there. I am 1/2 through BULLY PULPIT, a great book on the presidencies of T Roosevelt and Taft..great insights on today actually and it is real history. Just finished THE EVERYTHING STORE, a very interesting and insightful look at Amazon who are revamped our retail in this country.

Read THE ECONOMIST and if a particular issue has interest for you READ everything you can find, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY read views that are opposite of yours.

Television, to me, is a great venue for sports and breaking news. And if you just must watch, at least do a thorough check on that guy or gal that is presenting to you...most times you will discover a bias.

Cable news, for me, is a detriment to really understanding what is happening, and staying positive after allowing your mind to be "controlled" by these outlets is pretty much impossible as you then see the real world.

I don't think you can be positive unless you take the time to insure you are informed (of all sides of an issue) and open if you hear a new viewpoint. It is easy to get caught up in a "movement", a "rah rah" presentation but if you actually know all sides and why everyone doesn't feel the same way you can be positive and all that negativity you feel when someone disagrees with you will not be present.

Besides, the learning process itself is a positive experience

Bucco: I am not saying you are right wrong or that I agree or disagree but look at your opening sentence. It in itself leads one to believe that you do not have an open mind because you instantly dismiss all cable news channels out of hand. More specifically that someone can accuse of not being open

We all have core beliefs based on years of empirical evidence so to many of us it doesn't matter what a news commentator suggests. I am never going to like certain life styles, people, foods, cities, etc but it doesn't necessitate that I haven't kept an open mind and re-visited the issue. I love beets my wife thinks they taste like dirt she is never going to like beets because her pallet cannot adjust to them.

To sum up what I am really angling at her is my original comment concerning open mindedness and the fact is that people use it to manipulate you or to further serve as to their assertion . Are you closed minded because you refuse to watch cable news channels....a rousing NO its because based on your experience, thinking process, etc they do not meet your needs.

Personal Best Regards:

[Cedwards38]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Old minds also have the benefit of experience of seeing the same old platitudes recycled. Some old minds recognize that it always "the singer and not the song. Keeping an open mind doesn't always mean you change your mind. there are very basic truths in this world and the more naïve allow singers to be creative in their song a song that distorts these truths and amounts to bupkus

Too often and especially in todays American people do not seek the truth they demand agreement only, and if you disagree their argument is that you are a ------- (insert your adjective). We have lost our ability to be deep and critical thinkers and we treat important subject matters in the same way we like our coffee instant/fast. The very fact that someone accuses you of not having an open mind" is an indicator of manipulation and I "äin't" buying into that line.

In essence keeping an open mind does not always equate to truth because of the power of manipulation especially in this day of advance technology think the internet, world government that peddle misinformation and news media that control news based on their personal ideology and not fact.

The days of Joe Friday have long disappeared to our detriment

You're right, I fear! Politics and government in America today has become more a sport between two teams, and less about trying to find a way to help the country. All's fair as long as we beat the other guy. It's more about winning an election than about solving our problems. Thus the gridlock. My fingers are pointed in two directions here.

I think back on my life and I remember examples in the past of politicians of different philosophical and political persuasions who worked together to craft good government. Examples are President John F. Kennedy and Senator John Sherman Cooper, or President Ronald Reagan and Representative Tip O'Neil. They liked each other and bent over backward to work together. That doesn't mean that they always "gave in" but they always gave toward good ideas. They served the people as best they could.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Bucco: I am not saying you are right wrong or that I agree or disagree but look at your opening sentence. It in itself leads one to believe that you do not have an open mind because you instantly dismiss all cable news channels out of hand. More specifically that someone can accuse of not being open

We all have core beliefs based on years of empirical evidence so to many of us it doesn't matter what a news commentator suggests. I am never going to like certain life styles, people, foods, cities, etc but it doesn't necessitate that I haven't kept an open mind and re-visited the issue. I love beets my wife thinks they taste like dirt she is never going to like beets because her pallet cannot adjust to them.

To sum up what I am really angling at her is my original comment concerning open mindedness and the fact is that people use it to manipulate you or to further serve as to their assertion . Are you closed minded because you refuse to watch cable news channels....a rousing NO its because based on your experience, thinking process, etc they do not meet your needs.

Personal Best Regards:

While I can understand how you jumped to your conclusions, perhaps I should have made it clear that my total rejection of cable news is not just "out of hand".....it is based on EXPERIENCE. I have tried all of them, at various times. THAT is what leads me to me conclusion not a lack of an open mind.

I now do not watch cable news channels because my mind was open to them and I found them to be basically distateful. That does not translate that it is such for everyone. It is MY OPINION. I tend to want both sides of issues, and wish to have them untainted with bias so as to make my own decision. If I were of a like mind I am sure I would enjoy having my views reinforced every hour, but I prefer to get some facts and then determine how I feel. I do not find it necessary to have my view "given" to me.


IF those "news" channels supplied the news unvarnished with all facts, then no problem. I can assure you that on at least two of those channels, you will get facts, not lies, just not anything that does not fit into the agenda and that is what bothers me.

All I can say is I am very open minded....I surely have my core values based on experience and religion, but I do not shut anyone or anything out with no thought or trial of that idea.

But appreciate your thoughts as always. You are a poster that I read because I respect what you say !

PS....Since I am offering a critque of cable news, allow me to add that a "news" channel does not fixate on people or issues and then beat them to death nightly as seems to be the case oft times

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Bucco

While I can understand how you jumped to your conclusions, perhaps I should have made it clear that my total rejection of cable news is not just "out of hand".....it is based on EXPERIENCE. I have tried all of them, at various times. THAT is what leads me to me conclusion not a lack of an open mind.

I now do not watch cable news channels because my mind was open to them and I found them to be basically distateful. That does not translate that it is such for everyone. It is MY OPINION. I tend to want both sides of issues, and wish to have them untainted with bias so as to make my own decision. If I were of a like mind I am sure I would enjoy having my views reinforced every hour, but I prefer to get some facts and then determine how I feel. I do not find it necessary to have my view "

IF those "news" channels supplied the news unvarnished with all facts, then no problem. I can assure you that on at least two of those channels, you will get facts, not lies, just not anything that does not fit into the agenda and that is what bothers me.

All I can say is I am very open minded....I surely have my core values based on experience and religion, but I do not shut anyone or anything out with no thought or trial of that idea.

But appreciate your thoughts as always. You are a poster that I read because I respect what you say !

PS....Since I am offering a critque of cable news, allow me to add that a "news" channel does not fixate on people or issues and then beat them to death nightly as seems to be the case oft times

Bucco, my friend, we are aligning closer together in recent days than usual. Is that as scary to you as it is to me?

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Bucco, my friend, we are aligning closer together in recent days than usual. Is that as scary to you as it is to me?

Hey, include me in the next outing. Bucco has made posts in this thead that has me wanting to buy the beer. His comment about staying away from all cable channels is profound in more ways than the obvious. That would require research that would puts facts ahead of opinion. I tip my hat to you on this thread Mr Bucco.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Bucco, my friend, we are aligning closer together in recent days than usual. Is that as scary to you as it is to me?

It does make me search my soul, but at least I feel you are sincere in what you believe. No differences would not only be boring, but would disallow the discussion leading to compromise, something that is ver lacking today.

But it does concern me when I am defending your position on certain things

We still have disagreement on some major things, and perhaps we should thank admin for disallowing any discussion of issues to allow us to find common ground.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Bucco

It does make me search my soul, but at least I feel you are sincere in what you believe. No differences would not only be boring, but would disallow the discussion leading to compromise, something that is ver lacking today.

But it does concern me when I am defending your position on certain things

We still have disagreement on some major things, and perhaps we should thank admin for disallowing any discussion of issues to allow us to find common ground.

I see you both taking a very high road and I salute you both. The way you both have addressed this thread is commendable.

Lou

[Topspinmo]

I say this bluntly to you so you are aware that there is no bias intended, implied, or visible in this discussion
Today 02:46 PM

I guess you looked over the third post and where it when from there?

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Rc Moser

I say this bluntly to you so you are aware that there is no bias intended, implied, or visible in this discussion
Today 02:46 PM

I guess you looked over the third post and where it when from there?

Listen....I saw it and ignored it.

Please be advised of something....I have been posting here for a long time. I am very very disliked by most of the liberal posters because of my views. Folks assume I watch a certain network, which I do not.....I am sure they watch another network, which I also do not watch.

My opinion.....my views align with a certain party for sure...not the radical hard version......HOWEVER, I have been on this earth for a long time....I earned a living for a few years but many years ago in politics. The divisions we have today are caused by this kind of sensitivity to hearing things. I have been called many names on here because of my feelings on issues and like I said, disliked by those with liberal feelings.

BUT....I feel what I have said.....NOBODY is always right, and NOBODY is always wrong. Also....the two channels that we are tap dancing around, in my opinion, represent what has to stop if this country is to survive....tuning in to be appeased by somebody telling me what I want to hear serves no useful purpose, at least not for me.

Does the media band a bit a certain way.....yeah, most times but it always has.

I cannot convince you that your comments are just as bad, just as injurious as the comments in post #3, but I submit that is true.


PS...Be aware that in the past we had a forum to discuss some of this stuff and I spoke my mind (hence my icy reception by most)....and have no fear of expressing my disatisfaction with certain networks, but the admin, rightfully under the circumstances that existed, decided to stop the forum. I do not feel that sharp, little snippets of sarcasm serve any purpose whatsoever thus my post to you here.

[Moderator]

Please address the topic and not each other or this thread will have to be closed.

[Golfingnut]

I am agnostic, but found this very thoughtful and appropriate for this thread.

James 3:17-18

The Message (MSG)

17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

[2BNTV]

As long as we agree to disagree respectfully. That is the key.

I think we become what we read, and who we hang around with. We form our opinions, and rarely are persauded to change our views, whether it's politics and or religion.

It is wise to hear all sides of a problem from many sources, to form a reasonable opnion. A man convince against his will, is of the opinion still.

I may not agree with you, but I am willing to fight for one's right to express their viewpoint. Isn't that why we went to WWII, to keep our freedoms intact, and be able to live our lives in a free society?

I need my morning coffee!!!