Differing Opinions Made Personal

[aNoodle]

I think it's great that we have such a good community forum to exchange ideas. I always enjoy reading everyone's thoughts, getting to know differing ideas and opinions. Few boards do a better job of offering an intelligent and respectful place to exchange ideas in an adult way.

I think it is destructive for members of this board, much less a moderator, to take things personally and attack people personally--calling into question their personal experience and attacking it as "minimal." It's one thing to have an open forum for respectful dialogue of differing opinions. When it's made personal, we drive people away from this site, and lessen our community.

This forum is so much fun when we keep it clean. I say, let's keep the ideas and opinions coming, leave the personal attacks and derogatory remarks about members at home!

This has gotten crazy. aNoodle says that Kerry has credentials, what are they? 20 years as a Senator with no record?

LOL. Nice rhetoric, BigD.

I'm no expert on senate history, but I know Kerry and McCain worked selflessly to close the chapter on our missing Vietnam vets. It was hard work, took years of staying the course. This is not like being a face man for a baseball team. These guys faught hard for our country as young men, I don't think people appreciate what hard work that is. It may not play well in sound bites, like mission accomplished, wanted dead or alive, or you're with us or against us. Kerry and McCain, without much fanfair, worked hard for our country not only during the war but after they got out of combat. They went on to help devistated families come to grips with thier missing loved ones. It's easy to play politics and erase a man's work. But Kerry and McCain worked hard as both soldiers of war as well as vietnam veterans and sentors. They have earned our nations respect.

I'm voting for John Kerry who will restore strength to the white house and respect for America abroad.

I resent that remark. "I don't think people appreciate what hard work that is" considering my father's record! He served in the Korean War, WWII, and two COMPLETE tours in Vietnam! Not to mention Mcain has endorsed Bush, I guess he is not all that impressed with Kerry either. You sir are out of line and I am done responding to you!

And as my father and research show, Kerry was a hinderance to the POW/MIA move. So much for 20 years! POW/MIA

My grandfather was a career naval officer. My father is a navy vietnam veteran. His brother, and my uncle, went to Annapolis. I'm glad, BigD, your family shares my family's commitment of service to this nation and is not amoung the people who do not appreciate what hard work that is. It's easy in politics to smear a man's record, much harder to walk into combat for your nation. McCain may be a Republican and support his party's candidate, but I would never in a million years take away from the respect he has earned.

I would never say a veratan of combat, like Kerry's service to this nation, has 'no credentials.' I would never even consider saying two senators, like Kerry and McCain, who worked tirelessly on Vietnam M.I.A.s have "no record."

You said you were done BigD....LOL....but you've twice edited your response. Since you're only beefing up on more disrespect for our combat veterans, now I am at a loss for words.

I will never allow partisan politics to sway me into believing it is right to disrespect men who put on our nation's uniforms and wnet into combat to protect our freedom. It's too easy for some to play politics with this, avoid service, and cast political stones at those who have walked the tough walk and done the hard work.

I support John Kerry for President. He is a man who doesn't demand respect, but has earned it.

YEah I made an edit 3 minutes after posting, so you can add time from the post, good. Nor did or do I dierepect any vetern that is not a traitor. What is your military experience, minimal? Do preach to me my father paid for your freedoms!And I said I was done responding to you, now I am.

I was born at Camp Zama in Kanagawa Ken, Japan while my father was serving this nation as a naval intelligence officer. My mother has told me of the sacrifices she made in prenatal care while carrying me and my brother. I need no lectures on service to country, sir. Bush and Cheney, on the other hand, might very well need it.

My respect for the men and women who wear the uniforms of our nation does not stop with any party affiliation. I would never smear the hard work of our combat veterans for political gain. They risked their lives to defend America. They have earned the minimal respect accorded anyone who puts life and limb on the line. To call John Kerry a traitor is traitorous to the ideals that have made this country great....and disrespects all those who serve this nation.

I support John Kerry for President. He will bring honorable service to the White House and restore respect for America abroad.

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12922&page=3&pp=40

 

[Tom]

Scott, don't take this the wrong way but making a post like this will only cause further arguments rather than doing any good. I rather you make this a generic post rather than quoting Dan's responses to yours. If this is a personal matter between you two, then please take it to PM.

I do agree with your comments with regard to keeping these political threads clean and not taking anything personal.

 

[Abdoman]

anoodle, when you touch on a subject (like politics) that people feel passionately about you have to expect passion and people to take things personally. I mean, politics and religion are two passionate subjects.

IMO, if you don't want things to get personal, stay away from personal subjects (posts).

By the way, I think the above posts are very reserved.

 

[Bryan330i]

I agree eNoodle, a number of people have been chased away which is unfortunate. I have said this before and it’s just my opinion but I do think moderators shape a board if they go too far in any direction with member attacks. But then again, we don’t own the board and I’m not sure of it’s commercial intent so this may or may not be an issue.

 

[Tom]

Bryan,

Maybe I'm reading your post the wrong way so correct me if I'm wrong. The reason why I let a lot of those political threads go as far as it does is because I feel that everyone here is old enough to engage in debates without censorship. Granted some people take it too personal, but how is this a commercial intent?

 

[Bryan330i]

Bryan,

Maybe I'm reading your post the wrong way so correct me if I'm wrong. The reason why I let a lot of those political threads go as far as it does is because I feel that everyone here is old enough to engage in debates without censorship. Granted some people take it too personal, but how is this a commercial intent?

All I was thinking by commercial intent was that I don’t know the full purpose. Like if it’s just for fun with no other real purpose, or if information gets used for some other commercial purpose. I guess that I am saying I don’t know and that’s all I was thinking.

 

[aNoodle]

Scott, don't take this the wrong way but making a post like this will only cause further arguments rather than doing any good. I rather you make this a generic post rather than quoting Dan's responses to yours. If this is a personal matter between you two, then please take it to PM.

I do agree with your comments with regard to keeping these political threads clean and not taking anything personal.

Right on. Fair enough.

There is nothing personal to take to PM.

I appreciate all the positive contributions all the moderators routinely make to this site. My post wasn't intented to be a total downer, but to reinforce what makes this forum a great and brighter place.

 

[Bryan330i]

I am done with the political stuff here. Some people I know wanted to watch the discussions but it ends up proving the obvious or what is already known. This is a great car forum and there are some good political forums but I think it's hard to have a mix of both in the same place for obvious reasons, the purpose of the site and intended attraction being the most obvious.

 

[tool fan]

WOOT WOOT.....2 more days and then we are ALL going to have to just argue about BIMMERS. I cannot wait until this freakin' election shit is over with. We are a GREAT community on this board and I truly respect everyone here.. so my two cents says
LETS JUST ALL AGREE TO DIS-AGREE. There is not really anyone right answer to who should be president. Both parties bring good stuff and not so good stuff to the table, so it all equals out in the end.

 

[Bryan330i]

WOOT WOOT.....2 more days and then we are ALL going to have to just argue about BIMMERS. I cannot wait until this freakin' election shit is over with. We are a GREAT community on this board and I truly respect everyone here.. so my two cents says
LETS JUST ALL AGREE TO DIS-AGREE. There is not really anyone right answer to who should be president. Both parties bring good stuff and not so good stuff to the table, so it all equals out in the end.

I find it more interesting to see why people go in the direction of their choosing and the idea they are somehow separated from others purely by this association, both economically and socially. Personally, I would be more concerned with making sure I could go a couple of years without a paycheck than economical protection by association. This is especially true for those middle-aged that are not diversifies because all signs point to a shift towards younger and cheaper replacements as the primary trend.

I think more than anything I actually feel sorry for people rather than being critical of their actual comments.

I also think it is important to respect the direction of a site; everyone needs and is entailed to their own corner of the world to voice their opinions.

 

[epj3]

I'm driving 4 hours - 240 miles total to vote becuase I didn't get my stupid absentee ballot in. Oh well!! Good thing 240 miles is barely a scratch in the 181,000 I already have

 

[MyHarley]

I declined a $300.00 Continental voucher just so I would get back to Houston in time before early voting closed last night, as I am out of state on Tuesday...

 

[Bryan330i]

I'm driving 4 hours - 240 miles total to vote becuase I didn't get my stupid absentee ballot in. Oh well!! Good thing 240 miles is barely a scratch in the 181,000 I already have

Oh, that sucks Eric. How is your car running?

I have definitely done my share for John Kerry. I'm completely fried, exhausted, and run down with all that I've been doing. And forget about the money, I haven't stopped to even count the thousands it's cost me just this month.

Anyway, do you have enough money for gas for the trip? PM me your info and I will help you out if needed.


I would let you take my car if I lived closer.

 

[///M SPEED]

Oh, that sucks Eric. How is your car running?

I have definitely done my share for John Kerry. I'm completely fried, exhausted, and run down with all that I've been doing. And forget about the money, I haven't stopped to even count the thousands it's cost me just this month.

Anyway, do you have enough money for gas for the trip? PM me your info and I will help you out if needed.


I would let you take my car if I lived closer.

That is a very kind and generous offer you are extending to Eric. I find it a rare and noble thing to do Bryan. I have the up most respect for your actions in the above post. That is very very kind of you. God Speed....

 

[Bryan330i]

Thanks ///MSpeed.

Eric, I hope you did not take my post wrong, I just remember you spent a bunch of money on your car and I can remember times when I was flat @ss broke myself.

 

[epj3]

Thanks ///MSpeed.

Eric, I hope you did not take my post wrong, I just remember you spent a bunch of money on your car and I can remember times when I was flat @ss broke myself.

Thank you for your very generous offer! I'll be okay with money though. Gas isn't a problem, and my parents don't mind helping me get back to vote.

The car's running absolutely great, so I'm not worried at all.