[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

Goodness sake, his one's an easy question.

When we dialogue with others about substantial topics, the responses we get are often enlightening and different from what we were thinking. That can expand our mind and we can learn and grow.

That's a good thing.

I do believe you've said it "in a nutshell".......I agree with you totally.

This is the "connected generation" of younger folks and we seniors are right up there along with all of them...........especially since we are retired with time for more contemplation......

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An aside to the o.p.

I do believe that using your mind can keep your brain sharp.....although true dementia has many causes and is not always hereditary.

They've done a survey in Sweden whereby the Viet Nam era deserters to Sweden who did hashish, are now coming down with dementia/Alzheimers.

[gomoho]

We are human beings and have the need to share our beliefs and opinion with other human beings. This is how we share and hopefully learn. And yes, I do believe even if the seeds of Alzheimers have been planted keeping one's mind sharp may just delay those seeds from sprouting too early.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

They've done a survey in Sweden whereby the Viet Nam era deserters to Sweden who did hashish, are now coming down with dementia/Alzheimers.

Whoa, what a BUZZ KILLER.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by DougB

I really have no opinion.

Yes, you do..... (You just don't realize it yet, give it some time and it will come to you.)

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by DougB

I really have no opinion.

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Yes, you do..... (You just don't realize it yet, give it some time and it will come to you.)

I believe that was a subtle joke. I could be wrong.

[l2ridehd]

We voice our opinions about current events because we are a free people and have that right. There are many examples in history where people were not allowed to say what they think and the results were terrible.

In the late 30's the Germans had the "Brownshirts" a national police of thugs who suppressed free speech and arrested and beat those who spoke out against Hitler. The results were the Holocaust.

Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 is another example.

The killing fields in Cambodia is another

I can make a list of over 100 if you like. Today we have the right to express our opinions on events that surround us. If we choose to be like sheep and led to where ever our fools in power want to take us, then I pity us.

We speak out because we can. And I for one never want to give up that right or see those that I disagree with lose that right.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

We voice our opinions about current events because we are a free people and have that right. There are many examples in history where people were not allowed to say what they think and the results were terrible.

In the late 30's the Germans had the "Brownshirts" a national police of thugs who suppressed free speech and arrested and beat those who spoke out against Hitler. The results were the Holocaust.

Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 is another example.

The killing fields in Cambodia is another

I can make a list of over 100 if you like. Today we have the right to express our opinions on events that surround us. If we choose to be like sheep and led to where ever our fools in power want to take us, then I pity us.

We speak out because we can. And I for one never want to give up that right or see those that I disagree with lose that right.

[rubicon]

The OP question is so broad that there are a number of permutations applicable . As we all are aware we are all entitled to our opinions but we are not entitled to the facts. So an important element of an opinion is to try and be factually correct.

I lived in a state where I found a good percentage of the population were as I termed it polite but less than honest. I mean nothing can be solved without open and honest discussion. so as a society we render an opinion as a means of education staking out our position on a matter. sharing ideas, etc.

As I stated before in my family we were required to discuss politics and religion but we stayed away from recipes (I'm kidding). what was required was that you better be able to defend your position. My brother has always been a nudge so he would often take an opposing position just to debate.

In today's society that is no longer possible because we are so polarized which explains the political correctness ploy intended on refusing to communicate. As citizens we have seen the consequences in all of our institutions and especially in our government

I always speak my mind trying to remain civil, diplomatic and open to new thoughts and ideas. I do so on a one to one, writing my opinion to editors, members of congress, etc As one poster was wise to point out in some culture you are not allowed to express your opinion. In such a culture I would die

[Taltarzac725]

I came on TOTV in July of 2007 looking for a new place to vent about frustrations with my project about making practical resources for victims/survivors of crimes more accessible which a Villages Daily Sun reporter Gary Corsair covered to a very limited extent and with many errors and omissions back on May 28, 2007 in the Neighbor to Neighbor section. We had already been living in the Villages for two years by then having moved here in late June of 2005.

I had tried Findlaw's boards which the Sysop (Systems Operator) had told me was a very good venue for this Project (around 2001 through 2005)when I first started in 2001 or so but I soon attracted one of the nastiest and cleverest trolls who frequently made extremely sophomoric posts. He posted to pretty much everything I did with personal attacks going after every from my sex life, personal and family's safety, mental health, and anything else he could come up with to harass, annoy, and irritate me. This went on for four years or so. The troll turned out to be a defendant in a white collar crime case in Chesterfield County, Virginia who was very angry with me and others on Findlaw's boards who would not supply him with the court cases he needed to argue his case which it sounded like he was doing on his own (i.e. without a lawyer). He was very friendly with his regular account but would post with a new alias and use it to make extremely outrageous comments. It did take me years to figure out his Mr. Hyde split personality like online. Probably to the entertainment of many people. And, very much a huge headache to the Findlaw sysop who had to look for a myriad of aliases probably posted from various places.

I try not to bore people too much with this project and only mention it on occasion on TOTV. It is very important to me. Leveling the playing field for survivors/victims of crimes, defendants who may be innocent, etc. seems to me to be something that the Founding Fathers would have strongly agreed with as they were often self-made men who needed all the access to practical information they could get. Their survival often depended on it.

Neighbor to neighbor though is a good description of my feelings towards TOTV. I post on a variety of topics and value the opinions of others-- as long as they are thoughtfully presented with a certain degree of courtesy and maturity. Hate it when it becomes something you might find a on junior high school bathroom wall as it often did (and does) on various other web-sites.

And I am not competing with others to see who can make the most posts, get in the last word, or whatever.

[jean1954]

Well said!

[Bucco]

For me, the important thing is that any opinion expressed be YOUR opinion, based on your own reading and research, and NOT simply the mouthing of another.

With today's 24/7 cable, we listen but never check to see if what we heard was true. Under those conditions, and by ignoring all other input, we become an empty slate and a pawn.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Bucco

For me, the important thing is that any opinion expressed be YOUR opinion, based on your own reading and research, and NOT simply the mouthing of another.

With today's 24/7 cable, we listen but never check to see if what we heard was true. Under those conditions, and by ignoring all other input, we become an empty slate and a pawn.

Well said! I am forever returning emails that are so obviously ridiculous and asking the sender "do you ever check the facts before sending this junk", for which I am becoming (in their eyes) an enemy of the State.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Bucco

For me, the important thing is that any opinion expressed be YOUR opinion, based on your own reading and research, and NOT simply the mouthing of another.

With today's 24/7 cable, we listen but never check to see if what we heard was true. Under those conditions, and by ignoring all other input, we become an empty slate and a pawn.

That's why verification sites like Snopes.com are a good idea for people without time or inclination to do research. You can check your facts before
posting.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by CFrance;71***4

Amen. And simple. Why must every little thing be picked apart to death? Maybe people just enjoy communicating with each other.

That was pretty much my opinion when I read the OP. How is this any different from people getting together and chatting.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by CFrance

That's why verification sites like Snopes.com are a good idea for people without time or inclination to do research. You can check your facts before
posting.

For me, just reading all sides of an issue. Reading newspapers of ALL slants, not just mine. Doing research and either ignoring bias presentations or insuring I balance them...ie., if I read the right view, insure I study the left view before determine how I feel.

I very seldom rely on ANY TV for current events....all have a bias