Hi all,
I greatly appreciate the many friends here on JWD that are from non-USA countries. I have a special affinity and good feeling for Aussies and Canooks and Brits.
Anyway, over the years I have given the impression that I adhere to some kind of politcal position. Actually, I have no particular loyalty with either the left or right or center. I do at times challenge certain express views for the sake of critical thinking, fairness, and intellectual honesty.
The majority of posters appear to be on the left, or liberal, or simply against the right, or against conservatives, so my arguments and even spoof posts, will come from the right-conservative side. However, in case anyone may not have noticed, I have avoided political discussion like the plague in the last eight to ten months. The reason is simply that there is too little fair and open discussion, and too much unreasonable emotional rhetoric.
I find that the left, right, and center can all be right at times, and just as wrong at other times. While political speech and debate are important, I find that it has become very unenjoyable in recent years because people take it all too seriously, and our generation, and gen-x-ers seem to have lost the ability to have fun and enjoy seeing the humor in life. So many people these days seem so damn sensitive.
Sometimes, I also think that there is more of a need to have an enemy than there is about intellectual exchange. As JWs we had many enemies, like hippies, false religion, government, then in recent years apostates. It almost feels like as ex-JWs, the majority are attracted to the left because the left seems to like to make enemies out of government, business, and almost anything western. Conservatives simply like to make enemies out of the left, or anyone they want to shoot. Personally, I do not like to make enemies, and only have as enemies those who have decided that I am their enemy. This is only because I no longer have the patience to cultivate friends out of people who hate my guts for no reason at all.
Anyway, I guess its time for me to even avoid spoof posts, as I am having a hard time connecting with the written word, even when I use the little icon which I thought meant that I was not serious, or I was teasing somewhat. And I just hate to put disclaimers at the top of a post in order to assist the humor impaired ... it seems so childish to ruin a little fun with such nonsense that serves little more than to belittle people's intelligence.
I think that the only one who really caught on to me was Hillary Step, who in my opinion, is one very good and sharp Canook. With love and peace for all ... Jim Whitney
PS: I used a bat because our icon selection does not have doves, and I really wanted to use a bird as a peace symbol.
PPS: Its back to school again for me tonight ... so, I will see you all more after my next break begins.