A blogpost I'd like to share.

[endcycle]

http://endcycle.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-am-jeremy-network-administrator-and.html

I just wrote this over my lunch break and thought I'd like to share it here. It's not often that I get into this sort of talk on this board, and I certainly don't want to come across as preaching, either.

I am just sick of the politics of fear and hatred that I've been witness to since I started paying attention to presidential races many years ago. I am sick of hearing the phrase "real American" or "average Joe".

I think that the application to the Badger and Blade boards is clear.

We are a community of ideas, ideals, and people. All of us are here because one thing brought us here - and what keeps us here is the mutual respect and politeness inherent on Badger & Blade. We all are aware that we have different ideas. Some of my favorite posters are likely to be politically exactly the opposite from me, or religiously different, or culturally different - but rather than using those differences to repel each other and cordon off areas of our site, we use those differences to ENRICH each other. We find polite discourse in a time filled with uglier and uglier rhetoric on the news - and our refuge from that divisiveness is here, in the forums, with calm and polite discussions.

Thank you B&B, and have a wonderful day.

[ejpeek]

Good for you, you have expressed your opinion(s), belief(s) and ethic(s) in your own way. Isn't America great? we have freedom of speach...good post and blog. I can't wait for election day to be over either.

[endcycle]

Good for you, you have expressed your opinion(s), belief(s) and ethic(s) in your own way. Isn't America great? we have freedom of speach...good post and blog. I can't wait for election day to be over either.

Thank you-

And now that I've thought about it, I should probably clarify something. I don't think any less of ANYONE that disagrees with me. Most of my coworkers are voting for McCain, and my next door neighbor is as well - and I still like 'em all, despite our voting or belief differences. I try to recognize that deep down all ANY of us want is to be happy, healthy, and safe.

[ouch]

They believe that the terrorists will come to their town one day.


I'm going to go out on a limb on guess that you're not from NYC.

[The Zook]

I can't believe what I just read... UGH!

Come on, how can you not vote for Palin, she's a hottie! :lol:

Yeah, I know... my political beliefs are real deep. I do agree with a lot of what you wrote though, nice blog post - thanks for sharing.

[writerchad]

Amen brother. I'll also be glad when the morning of November 5th arrives. however, I'll never understand why we Americans are only passionate about politics and issues during the final months before a general presidential election.

[endcycle]

Amen brother. I'll also be glad when the morning of November 5th arrives. however, I'll never understand why we Americans are only passionate about politics and issues during the final months before a general presidential election.

Amen to you too. Interestingly, I wonder if that'll be the case after this election. I think that one way or the other, some things have changed.


I'm going to go out on a limb on guess that you're not from NYC.

... was it the "I'm from Toledo, OH" part in the first line that gave it away?
:)

My family is originally from NYC, actually, and we were directly affected by the events of 9/11.

[mantic]

A good blog post but it doesn't seem very BOFH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bofh)-ish to me. :lol:

--Mark

[patrisVII]

I believe in the Christ.

I believe that abortion is the ending of a human life. Murder if done when the baby poses no harm to the mother - self defense if it does.

I believe that Muslims are fellow sinners in need of the Gospel.

I believe that gay people cannot be married. Regardless of what the state or church calls a same sex union, it is not marriage. I further believe individuals should be able to peacefully associate however they like and business firms should be able to offer whatever benefits they choose to their employees.

I believe that I am far more likely to be killed by an official from my own government than a foreign terrorist.

I believe voting is nothing more than a periodic public affirmation in the faith of systematic violence as a social system. (plagiarized from here (http://www.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer88.html))

I believe that drug users should be free to buy, sell and consume as they wish.

I believe Western European, and hence American, culture, mores and customs were profoundly influenced by Christianity. I believe American statecraft is largely Athenian/Roman.

And I believe Bush jr's has been the most destructive Presidency to peace and liberty, at home and abroad, since FDR.

[Eagle]

Well it won't be long now will it?

[TimmyBoston]

I believe the barbershop has already had far too much politics. :rolleyes:

[endcycle]

I believe in the Christ.

I believe that abortion is the ending of a human life. Murder if done when the baby poses no harm to the mother - self defense if it does.

I believe that Muslims are fellow sinners in need of the Gospel.

I believe that gay people cannot be married. Regardless of what the state or church calls a same sex union, it is not marriage. I further believe individuals should be able to peacefully associate however they like and business firms should be able to offer whatever benefits they choose to their employees.

I believe that I am far more likely to be killed by an official from my own government than a foreign terrorist.

I believe voting is nothing more than a periodic public affirmation in the faith of systematic violence as a social system. (plagiarized from here (http://www.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer88.html))

I believe that drug users should be free to buy, sell and consume as they wish.

I believe Western European, and hence American culture, mores and customs were profoundly influenced by Christianity. I believe American statecraft is largely Athenian/Roman.

And I believe Bush jr's has been the most destructive Presidency to peace and liberty, at home and abroad, since FDR.



I find it interesting that, though we disagree on a lot of the things you and I have listed, we tend to agree on a few very big things. :)

[endcycle]

I believe the barbershop has already had far too much politics. :rolleyes:

ANNNNND that's sort of what I'm saying. I think that, despite the sometimes rancorous discussion in the barbershop, the rest of the community still hums along, even with the disagreeing parties participating.

I am always impressed by this board and the overwhelming gentlemanliness it exhibits.

[Hawkeyeted]

I'm tired of the Mass Media playing to the extremes of the major two parties when in reality, neither extreme should be seen or heard because neither is the voice of reason.

I'm tired of opposing political views being treated like a high school football rivalry.

I'm tired of American's fighting each other.

[endcycle]

I'm tired of the Mass Media playing to the extremes of the major two parties when in reality, neither extreme should be seen or heard because neither is the voice of reason.


AMEN

(I'm saying that alot for an atheist today)

THOUGH I would point one thing out- I think that most people, especially on the extremes, are motivated by a desire to do the right thing as much as possible... and though their logic might be flawed to our thinking (and, well, to a good majority of the sane people in this world), their ideas still come from
a base of their own logic. The "extremists" sometimes help to nudge politics in the right direction... although I'd say that this election has been rife with the uglier side of that instead of the beneficial side.

[sehrgut]

I believe in the Christ.
...

I believe that drug users should be free to buy, sell and consume as they wish.


One of my fellow (rare, unfortunately) Christian Libertarians, mayhap?

[patrisVII]

I find it interesting that, though we disagree on a lot of the things you and I have listed, we tend to agree on a few very big things. :)



One of my fellow (rare, unfortunately) Christian Libertarians, mayhap?


Yeah I posted to show that one can be Christian and not subscribe to a cartoonish right wing agenda.

I'm not fond of that label. Anarchist or voluntaryist are most descriptive of my position and liberal is great as well, but it's lost that original meaning of maximizing freedom.

The dude's gobbledygook about science and policy is scary though. The very idea that human lives can be 'managed' by science should have died in 1992.

[SP Log Dog]

Yeah I posted to show that one can be Christian and not subscribe to a cartoonish right wing agenda.

I really dislike how some of these Christian Fundamentalists believe that their beliefs of hate and intolerance is Christian. It makes me wonder if they've ever thought about the words they've read in the Bible.

I don't agree with you completely, especially on FDR, drugs, and the "system of violence", but there's some good solid truths in there.

[Hawkeyeted]

I really dislike how some of these Christian Fundamentalists believe that their beliefs of hate and intolerance is Christian.

That, my friend, isn't exclusive of Fundamentalist. One could just as easily brand the "Extreme Left" in the same manner.

Those supporting the leftest movement preach to embrace tollerance and equality, yet quickly accuse those who don't agree with thier liberal views as "hateful and intollerant."

I guess my point is that it's a two-way street. Lunacy exists at both ends of the spectrum. :out:

[Isaias]

I believe that in times like this we should keep our beliefs to ourselves, outside the barbershop.

d'oh! :em2100:

It is a shaving forum! Now if you excuse me I will go post on the cologne subforum :lol:

[Doc4]

I don't agree with you completely, ... but there's some good solid truths in there.

I guess that's what everyone here can say about everyone else ... if I get the OP's point correctly.

[patrisVII]

I really dislike how some of these Christian Fundamentalists believe that their beliefs of hate and intolerance is Christian. It makes me wonder if they've ever thought about the words they've read in the Bible.

I don't agree with you completely, especially on FDR, drugs, and the "system of violence", but there's some good solid truths in there.

Though there are many prominent Christians who poison the actual mandate given to the church - preaching the Gospel - with a drive for the violent moral conversion of society, it is important to realize that Christianity is both radically exclusive and completely inclusive.

It is inclusive in that all men, with one sole exception, are rebels against God. Whether one is a Christian or a pagan, all men are sinners by nature. There is nothing inherently good or better in any one of us that recommends us to God over anyone else. It's a cliche to say "there but by the grace of God go I" when we see someone punished for a common offense - like speeding or driving drunk. The Christian, however, can utter that phrase in profound humility when he sees the work of Jeffery Dahmer or John Wayne Gacy.

It is exclusive in that the only way to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ. There is no other means. We cannot do it ourselves because we are inherently sinful. We don't posses the ability or even the desire to be pleasing to God. Only one man ever did, and it is through His perfect life and death that we are able to stand before God blameless. God counts His own righteousness as ours and takes the just penalty for our unrighteousness upon Himself. God incarnate, Jesus Christ, did what we could not. This is the reason He is the only way.

Being told you're a complete degenerate and the only way out is to accept a story about a Jew who died two millenia ago is highly offensive. But this is the precise, and only, means God has given His church to build itself through the ages. It will never be built by using the violence of the state or the perceived moral superiority of it's members - indeed reliance on these and other purely human methods destroys the church from the inside.

And yes I did use this thread as an opportunity to preach the Gospel. It's got zero to do with politics and everything to do with life. Just remember the next time you hear Robertson, Dobson or Hagee going on about how our society will crumble if the Democrat gets in office....... "There but for the grace of God go I".

[Jimbo]

One of my fellow (rare, unfortunately) Christian Libertarians, mayhap?
I think that fits my beliefs.
But, even though I don't live in PA, I still have my guns and religion of which to cling -- at least for now.

[endcycle]

I believe that in times like this we should keep our beliefs to ourselves, outside the barbershop.

d'oh! :em2100:

It is a shaving forum! Now if you excuse me I will go post on the cologne subforum :lol:


:)

I think that this place is an AWESOME forum for learning about personal beliefs, if only because there is a certain community standard for conduct. It's not often that, as an atheist, I can hear non-stereotypical political views from someone who would consider themselves an anarchist Christian. I mean, how fricking awesome is that?

I love this place.

[DunEdinRanger]

Amen brother. I'll also be glad when the morning of November 5th arrives. however, I'll never understand why we Americans are only passionate about politics and issues during the final months before a general presidential election.

Not me. NJ has a gubernatorial election next year, as does NYC for Mayor. More Political Ads.

Then NY has a gubernatorial election the next year. More Political Ads.

Then we start all over again...

[Isaias]

I think that this place is an AWESOME forum for learning about personal beliefs, if only because there is a certain community standard for conduct. It's not often that, as an atheist, I can hear non-stereotypical political views from someone who would consider themselves an anarchist Christian. I mean, how fricking awesome is that?

I love this place.

Well, for this place to be awesome as you say, some get to post about their beliefs, and some others learn to read and let it go. I also love this place, and I am just as passionate about my beliefs as you are.
For example, when you say you met an anarchist Christian, I believe you are talking about patrisVII on your post. He says


I believe that Muslims are fellow sinners in need of the Gospel.


And I might have a problem with that because in passively manner, it is still passing judgement of inferiority. In the background of that sentence, he is saying that Christianity is inherently superior to Islam. I think that is one of the root problems of any religion/atheist movement. To believe that
1. The other has a weaker moral value system (Religion vs. Religion or Religion vs. Atheism)
2. The other is not capable of any reasonable argument (Atheism vs. Religion)

Furthermore....
...
You know what? you are right you can post whatever you want. I did not want to censor you (I just realised I might have given that impression). For me, it is usually not worth it to confront this kind of topics here in the Barbershop. Some topics should be discussed in a private setting, otherwise we will soon be discussing whether homosexuality is a choice or not. Whether it is a petty judgement or not, if it really matters or not. This is just not the place where I would do it.
And for the record, except with the first two points and the last one (dignity of the office? what the heck is that?), I agree with most of what you have said.

[stevensj2]

What worries me, and this is a testament to just how absurd things have gotten, is that a satirical/fictional/goofy newspaper that makes crazy things up for laughs predicted Joe the Plumber in 1999 (date says 1993, but was not released until '99):

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/48940

The similarities are striking.

If on one hand it is meant to be so absurd it is funny, what happens when it actually becomes true? Doesn't that tell us something about ourselves, and what state our political system is in?

[ogopogo]

What worries me, and this is a testament to just how absurd things have gotten, is that a satirical/fictional/goofy newspaper that makes crazy things up for laughs predicted Joe the Plumber in 1999 (date says 1993, but was not released until '99):

The similarities are striking.
Yeah, I've seen that before. Eerily prophetic.