Posts by peacefulpete

43

Remind re: The "Cult" Label

by Simon in

if you accuse people of being stuck in jw mindset or "cult-like" mentality simply because someone has a different view of politics than you, you'll be deleted.. it's insulting and a lazy substitute for having any real argument for a proper debate.. what next ... "you smell" ?.

peacefulpete

Although I think there are far, far more cases of people taking "retribution" against people voting for Trump than vice-versa. Either way, anyone doing this is an idiot.

I know that's what you "think". It is not the case however. Make an account to read. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43783825?seq=1

Straw-man. There are more options than a rigid, structured debate format or else a free-for-call where insults and name calling is allowed. Like maybe a normal discussion by sensible resonable people.

Go back to the discussions and remind yourself of the tract record. Who engaged in name calling, and insulting language, both sides. There really isn't many options, people typically descend to the worst behavior when they are upset.

The only thing I'm not allowing is the unrelated, drive-by, insults that are always variations on "but, but, Orange Man BAD!". THAT is what get's boring.

And that is how it is being heard.

Right, but we don't have to follow most other platforms which allow conservatives to be discriminated against just because they support Trump.

How about protecting those of other political positions? Are their feelings less worthy of your concern? Every one would benefit from changes to how we deal with overheated politics.

43

Remind re: The "Cult" Label

by Simon in

if you accuse people of being stuck in jw mindset or "cult-like" mentality simply because someone has a different view of politics than you, you'll be deleted.. it's insulting and a lazy substitute for having any real argument for a proper debate.. what next ... "you smell" ?.

peacefulpete

There simply isn't enough JW related news to discuss and engage people 24x7 for years on end

Establishing a forum with that stated purpose of helping people escape and rebuild lives after the WT was a generous and thankless task. Keeping it operating for those thousands leaving every day might be an even bigger sacrifice. It's a lot like being a family counselor. It's got to get difficult to maintain interest after years of hearing the same issues over and over. Maybe it's time some of us left for other pastures if we just don't want to discuss the WT related issues anymore. There will be new blood if the forum is welcoming.

Politics have changed and forums are struggling to keep things civil everywhere. It's the issue of the decade.

43

Remind re: The "Cult" Label

by Simon in

if you accuse people of being stuck in jw mindset or "cult-like" mentality simply because someone has a different view of politics than you, you'll be deleted.. it's insulting and a lazy substitute for having any real argument for a proper debate.. what next ... "you smell" ?.

peacefulpete

That's not how a discussion forum works, you are describing something more akin to a structured debate.

Yes, that is what you said you wanted. A reasonably argued meaningful debate free of name calling, stereotyping, and gotcha digs and insults. Can't have it both ways. Well some have the discipline, but many do not. A free-for-all board hashing contentious issues just alienates and entrenches. Its a substantial reason social media is implicated in furthering division. Forums like this one, face that fact at some point. Either you limit the topics and establish behavior rules or you accept becoming something biased something that retains only those who like echo chambers. Honestly Simon this site has long ago crossed that line for many posters. Many of the past best posters left because of the constant caustic politics. You know that.

If we took a vote, I'd bet even those still here would prefer political discussions be limited to one section and not allowed to creep into every topic.

43

Remind re: The "Cult" Label

by Simon in

if you accuse people of being stuck in jw mindset or "cult-like" mentality simply because someone has a different view of politics than you, you'll be deleted.. it's insulting and a lazy substitute for having any real argument for a proper debate.. what next ... "you smell" ?.

peacefulpete

My wife's 92 year old Grandma was just told last week she was no longer welcome in the home of another of her grandchilldren since she voted for Biden. This kind of politics we can do without.

Without rules political "debates" are just WWE wrestling with rowdier fans.

If a Trump supporter chooses a single narrow topic, have spent 10 minutes fact checking, allows only 2 people to participate so as to allow for a constructive development of thought, refrains from using insulting language and implications, addresses the previous post with a response, I and many here would engage in a meaningful discussion. We do want to understand you. You must help us by slowing down and take things one small topic at a time without the vitriol that dominates our times.

Now then, what one topic Simon, narrow enough to have a meaningful coverage have you always wanted to discuss? Start a new thread with those rules, announce the participants and lets see if that can't work. A moderator would be helpful to keep participants to the rules and on topic. I'm game.

51

8 Year Old Can Decide If They Are Transgendered

by minimus in

so says joe biden.. anybody agree with this?

?.

peacefulpete

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-biden-quote-transgender-chi/fact-check-fabricated-biden-quote-supports-transgender-childrens-right-to-transition-idUSKBN2772PM

43

Remind re: The "Cult" Label

by Simon in

if you accuse people of being stuck in jw mindset or "cult-like" mentality simply because someone has a different view of politics than you, you'll be deleted.. it's insulting and a lazy substitute for having any real argument for a proper debate.. what next ... "you smell" ?.

peacefulpete

It would improve the character of this forum if all forms of "insulting" and "lazy" name calling would be discouraged. Isn't that so Simon?

70

Is it possible for any Country to have “Reasonable” Gun Laws? What would they be?

by pistolpete in

so the new biden/harris gun policies are starting to appear.

it’s not clear yet, what they will be.. some suggestions; confiscate all guns.------buyback programs in each state.. there is much talk on social media that if this happens, the pandemic, + all the riots, + all the damaged property, + all the annual murders in america, - put together-will be like a sunday afternoon picnic, compared to all the deaths and property damage that will result because of “civil uprising” by millions of 2nd amendments advocates and just plain gun lovers.

americans love guns!.

peacefulpete

Right now both halves of the US fear a military take over or coup.

And this is why reasonable discussions are difficult. Sensationalist alarmism is the norm. Don't get me wrong the institutions we value require diligent defense, but our system of checks and balances is proving robust enough for the task. We are not in reality anywhere near a coup.

70

Is it possible for any Country to have “Reasonable” Gun Laws? What would they be?

by pistolpete in

so the new biden/harris gun policies are starting to appear.

it’s not clear yet, what they will be.. some suggestions; confiscate all guns.------buyback programs in each state.. there is much talk on social media that if this happens, the pandemic, + all the riots, + all the damaged property, + all the annual murders in america, - put together-will be like a sunday afternoon picnic, compared to all the deaths and property damage that will result because of “civil uprising” by millions of 2nd amendments advocates and just plain gun lovers.

americans love guns!.

peacefulpete

A slippery slope fallacy occurs when one claims in the absence of any sort of evidence that a relatively small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related steps culminating in an overall negative effect.
It is not a fallacy when one can provide evidence for or otherwise demonstrate that progression.

What you believe you can provide as evidence that demonstrating an inevitable progression is merely a nebulous narrative being passed as evidence. The existence of gun regulations in most every country of the world, including our own, actually demonstrates the opposite. Regulations can be unoppressive and adaptable to local circumstances. IOW What America already has regarding gun regulations are proof that regulations do not inevitably result in the complete loss of the ability to own guns responsibly.

I actually provided the link with Biden's policy proposals. So yes, I'm aware of them. I happen to agree with the majority of Democrats and Republicans that we can improve upon the regulations we currently have.

70

Is it possible for any Country to have “Reasonable” Gun Laws? What would they be?

by pistolpete in

so the new biden/harris gun policies are starting to appear.

it’s not clear yet, what they will be.. some suggestions; confiscate all guns.------buyback programs in each state.. there is much talk on social media that if this happens, the pandemic, + all the riots, + all the damaged property, + all the annual murders in america, - put together-will be like a sunday afternoon picnic, compared to all the deaths and property damage that will result because of “civil uprising” by millions of 2nd amendments advocates and just plain gun lovers.

americans love guns!.

peacefulpete

but you, my friend, are the one who made the jump from weapons to purely utilitarian objects like kitchen knives and therefore it is you have bridged the gap and made my point for me via a demonstration of the logical end-point of your argument.

My point is simply that every one recognizes the wisdom of limiting access to weapons. "Hide the kitchen knives" is a proverbial expression for when you've pissed off your wife. It was meant to be funny while still making the point of the importance of limiting access to weapons to those whose judgement is compromised. If you prefer, I could have said "check your gun at the door" of the saloon. Another American proverb. This completely indisputable wisdom is lost on people when discussing gun regulation. It's classic slippery slope fallacy to suggest reasonable, measured regulation of gun use is impossible. Reasonable regulation of commerce and behavior is the cornerstone of civilization. It's what defines us as civilized.

. As I pointed out farther up this thread a ban on what Biden calls, "weapons of war" would not be enough. Not in a country as violent as the U.S.

The question is not whether it would 'be enough' but 'would it help.' I'm convinced it would.

70

Is it possible for any Country to have “Reasonable” Gun Laws? What would they be?

by pistolpete in

so the new biden/harris gun policies are starting to appear.

it’s not clear yet, what they will be.. some suggestions; confiscate all guns.------buyback programs in each state.. there is much talk on social media that if this happens, the pandemic, + all the riots, + all the damaged property, + all the annual murders in america, - put together-will be like a sunday afternoon picnic, compared to all the deaths and property damage that will result because of “civil uprising” by millions of 2nd amendments advocates and just plain gun lovers.

americans love guns!.

peacefulpete

That little pepper spray is counted as a weapon here

I understand that. It was here not long ago too. A lot has to do with the record of local criminal use. The fact that Canadians drew a different line regarding pepper spray than we have illustrates that there is room for discussion and compromise.