The Rise of the Political Post

**LocalYokel** · 05-16-2009, 02:30 PM

Hi guys, I'm sure that all of you enjoy B&B as much as I do. For me, this "place" is more than mere information on razors and blades and such. It's a place where the mundane day-to-day world can be left behind, a place of higher level thinking, free of rancor, free from the background noise of daily BS.

But, I have to say, I have noticed more political postings of late. Frankly, this disappoints me, and concerns me. I enjoy B&B precisely because this site lends itself to supporting the finer, the higher aspects of the human experience, not the usual third grade arguments found elsewhere on the web. Or the TV. Or the newstand.

I come here to relax, to think, to learn. Do we have to discuss divisive issues here? Aren't there enough websites, left and right, devoted to bashing each other? Why can't we stick to what we do best - discuss and explore the myriad of ways that we can enhance our lives, as well as the lives of those around us.

Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

Clay

**Dubbya** · 05-16-2009, 02:31 PM

Hear Hear. While I am guilty of posting in political threads, it is almost always in an attempt at a humorous hijack.

**mretzloff** · 05-16-2009, 02:33 PM

I think as long as the argument is civil, it's fine. I know we all (myself included) can get a little out of hand at times, but I think for the most part the B&B members are very gentleman-like.

**Fnord5** · 05-16-2009, 02:39 PM

I think the issue is that the party in power, is doing things that, to the followers of the conservative path, go against that which they hold dear.

Not to place blame on liberals for defending or celebrating the liberal actions, or conservatives for disagreeing and condemning them, but to point out the nature of political discussion.

One side is always right, and unfortunately, it happens to be both sides. The only end result is an argument.

**blackfoot** · 05-16-2009, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Fnord5

I think the issue is that the party in power, is doing things that, to the followers of the conservative path, go against that which they hold dear.

Not to place blame on liberals for defending or celebrating the liberal actions, or conservatives for disagreeing and condemning them, but to point out the nature of political discussion.

One side is always right, and unfortunately, it happens to be both sides. The only end result is an argument.

You, sir, are 100 percent wrong!

I am guilty of posting on some of these threads, but usually with an attempt at humor, like Dubbya. I enjoy a civil debate. We just get carried away sometimes.

**richmondesi** · 05-16-2009, 02:47 PM

I have determined that I have no interest in discussing politics here anymore. Even when someone makes a valid point with supporting evidence, it gets lost in the rancor and there is zero benefit gained. It's an exercise in futility. I'll pass thanks

**blackfoot** · 05-16-2009, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by richmondesi

I have determined that I have no interest in discussing politics here anymore. Even when someone makes a valid point with supporting evidence, it gets lost in the rancor and there is zero benefit gained. It's an exercise in futility. I'll pass thanks

You are absolutely correct. I just can't help myself sometimes.

**Gruder** · 05-16-2009, 02:53 PM

It waxes and wanes. It was far worse prior to last November, then got (rightly, I believe) nipped in the bud for a while, and is slowly rearing its head again. The mods have taken a no tolerance approach to ungentlemanly behavior in the barber shop now, and I am grateful.

**Brodirt** · 05-16-2009, 02:55 PM

I don't see why there should ever be any rancor...my guys are always right.

**richmondesi** · 05-16-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Brodirt

I don't see why there should ever be any rancor...my guys are always right.

That's what the other guys say too

**Brodirt** · 05-16-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by richmondesi

That's what the other guys say too

Exactly my point!

**thirdeye** · 05-16-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by LocalYokel

Hi guys, I'm sure that all of you enjoy B&B as much as I do. For me, this "place" is more than mere information on razors and blades and such. It's a place where the mundane day-to-day world can be left behind, a place of higher level thinking, free of rancor, free from the background noise of daily BS.

But, I have to say, I have noticed more political postings of late. Frankly, this disappoints me, and concerns me. I enjoy B&B precisely because this site lends itself to supporting the finer, the higher aspects of the human experience, not the usual third grade arguments found elsewhere on the web. Or the TV. Or the newstand.

I come here to relax, to think, to learn. Do we have to discuss divisive issues here? Aren't there enough websites, left and right, devoted to bashing each other? Why can't we stick to what we do best - discuss and explore the myriad of ways that we can enhance our lives, as well as the lives of those around us.

Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

Clay

Well said sir kudos to you and thank you!!!!!

Originally Posted by Gruder

It waxes and wanes. It was far worse prior to last November, then got (rightly, I believe) nipped in the bud for a while, and is slowly rearing its head again. The mods have taken a no tolerance approach to ungentlemanly behavior in the barber shop now, and I am grateful.

**Oxi** · 05-16-2009, 03:12 PM

Any public forum (internet or otherwise) we can agree to disagree! If one would keep in mind that changing someone elses mind is quite difficult, impossible sometimes, it would be much easier. Ask yourself when was the last time you yourself changed viewpoints after an internet argument about something you believe(d) in. And then ask yourself why you behave like this*.

* = I'm not pointing fingers and the same can be said about me too (although not on this forum), but this is happening always and everywhere. Where B&B stands apart is the fact we are all gentlemen here and we thread each other as such.

Agree to disagee.

**SavantStrike** · 05-16-2009, 03:38 PM

I think that one of the things gentlemen do is talk politics. Social issues come up during the course of daily life, and talking about them is a natural and important process. The problem is when politics come up, someone always ends up not being a gentleman about it. Shame on that guy, he ruins it for the rest of us. Fearing having to listen to that guy, many of us have given up on ever talking about potentially political subjects, and as a result, we have let him win.

In this day and age, it seems like people get offended merely hearing someone else's point of view, regardless of how well articulated the "offending" individual's speech is. To go on the offensive means to attack. Speaking one's mind is not an attack unless it is done in a way to deliberately insinuate that another individual's point of view is fundamentally wrong, or that that individual has some obvious flaw. To me it feels like these days, when some people lack the ability to construct an appropriate response to what they believe to be a contrasting point of view, these people decide to cry foul and say that the person with the differing point of view is acting in an offensive manner. This is, IMO, intolerance at it's finest as it screams "double standard." That proverbial guy adheres to this philosophy, and when he hears something he doesn't want to hear, he gets crude and in everyone else's face. To combat him, the rest of us are stuck with a "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" approach where we just don't talk politics at all.

Of course, YMMV.

This is the only political statement I will make right now.

**dixee6** · 05-16-2009, 03:42 PM

Hear, hear! Bravo! Well said!

**The Nid Hog** · 05-16-2009, 03:43 PM

I think that discussion is fine--if political talk in the agora was prohibited, we would never have heard about Socrates (which, in the long run, might have turned out better for him). The problem is the seething anger that underlies too many posts. Somebody just suggested that this is conservatives frustrated and angry about liberals in power. However, conservatives haven't cornered the market on bile or on indignation. All you have to do is look at Huffington Post and see that there are lots of furious progressives out there too.

Sometimes I post something to try to lighten the mood, but it never works. In the end, I log off with the kind of feeling I get when I see a couple having a public fight over dinner in a restaurant, or a mother berating her kid at the grocery store.

I just don't think that the angry post serves any good. It isn't going to change anybody's mind. And it isn't going to make you feel better or less angry either. And it isn't going to help any of us get a better shave or find a new cologne.

So, let me make a proposal. If you find yourself about to make one of those angry posts, log off. Go down to the local party office of your choice, or find a group organized around the issue that has you up in arms. Volunteer your time. Repeat as necessary. If you really believe in democracy, eventually you contributions will be among those that change things. If all Ben Franklin did was post angry responses on a message board, we'd all still be mailing our tax returns to the UK.

**kwk285** · 05-16-2009, 03:44 PM

I have a new rule that once a political thread takes a Jerry Springer turn, it is time to not read any more from that thread.

**richmondesi** · 05-16-2009, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by SavantStrike

In this day and age, it seems like people get offended merely hearing someone else's point of view, regardless of how well articulated the "offending" individual's speech is. To go on the offensive means to attack. Speaking one's mind is not an attack unless it is done in a way to deliberately insinuate that another individual's point of view is fundamentally wrong, or that that individual has some obvious flaw.

Disagreements in politics by definition means that you think that the other individuals point of view is "fundamentally wrong"

My problem is when the motives of those points of views become the focus. Many people truly believe that the best way to help people is the either the liberal or conservative approach. When the liberal calls the conservative "greedy" or "racist", it's a problem. Just like when the conservative questions the motivations of the liberal is a problem.

**SavantStrike** · 05-16-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by The Nid Hog

I think that discussion is fine--if political talk in the agora was prohibited, we would never have heard about Socrates (which, in the long run, might have turned out better for him). The problem is the seething anger that underlies too many posts. Somebody just suggested that this is conservatives frustrated and angry about liberals in power. However, conservatives haven't cornered the market on bile or on indignation. All you have to do is look at Huffington Post and see that there are lots of furious progressives out there too.

Sometimes I post something to try to lighten the mood, but it never works. In the end, I log off with the kind of feeling I get when I see a couple having a public fight over dinner in a restaurant, or a mother berating her kid at the grocery store.

I just don't think that the angry post serves any good. It isn't going to change anybody's mind. And it isn't going to make you feel better or less angry either. And it isn't going to help any of us get a better shave or find a new cologne.

So, let me make a proposal. If you find yourself about to make one of those angry posts, log off. Go down to the local party office of your choice, or find a group organized around the issue that has you up in arms. Volunteer your time. Repeat as necessary. If you really believe in democracy, eventually you contributions will be among those that change things. If all Ben Franklin did was post angry responses on a message board, we'd all still be mailing our tax returns to the UK.

That sounds perfect as long as it doesn't mean no posts period. I don't know about the rest of you guys but to me B&B is about a lot more than just a great shave!

Originally Posted by kwk285

I have a new rule that once a political thread takes a Jerry Springer turn, it is time to not read any more from that thread.

I like that rule, but it must mean you don't read past the first page very often

.

**adonnellyr** · 05-16-2009, 04:01 PM

I agree with this post so wholeheartedly. I really have no desire to engage in political conversation on this site. yet as much as I would like to see such talk disappear and no longer clutter up one of my most beloved sites, I do believe in freedom of speech, so if people choose to take such discussion to this site, I will not condemn them for it, but merely look the other way and not partake. I simply ask that such discussion be kept civil so that the overall class and respect typically shown on this site is upheld.