|
|
Post by cenydd on Aug 7, 2013 0:22:09 GMT
They have treatment for that. The first step is admitting you have a problem. It's no problem at all. We get on very well, rarely argue at all, and find each other to be excellent conversationalists! Generally, we are very good company for each other! |
|
|
|
Post by ShivaTD on Aug 7, 2013 13:10:53 GMT
Hi. Thanks for inviting me here. You always seemed quite fair in that 'other place' and I'm sure you'll be fine here (maybe appointing a couple of mods to do that mod work will allow you to stay separate from all that and still debate with the rest of us?) I believe that most of us that were moderators elsewhere appreciate not being moderators here. It was always a dirty task to begin with and the criteria for selection basically explained it all. Moderator Qualification: "Smart enough to perform the job and stupid enough to accept it."
|
|
cubed
Scribbler
Consumate Snowball Artist
Posts: 9 
Politics: Center/Left of Center.
|
Post by cubed on Aug 7, 2013 13:45:50 GMT
Hi. Thanks for inviting me here. You always seemed quite fair in that 'other place' and I'm sure you'll be fine here (maybe appointing a couple of mods to do that mod work will allow you to stay separate from all that and still debate with the rest of us?) I believe that most of us that were moderators elsewhere appreciate not being moderators here. It was always a dirty task to begin with and the criteria for selection basically explained it all. Moderator Qualification: "Smart enough to perform the job and stupid enough to accept it."
Yeah, I can completely understand that. Such a thankless job. |
|
|
|
Post by Leo on Aug 8, 2013 9:12:55 GMT
Just realised something - what I'm suggesting as a forum structure is, in a way, something akin to a 'constitutional monarchy' - a permanent 'head of state' (the admin - me) who is largely 'ceremonial', in that I deal mainly with the background admin stuff and don't have the authority to actually do anything important in term of how things are run, and a democratic (to an extent) 'parliament' of 'representatives' who are really 'in charge', and do the day to day work of moderating, making decisions, administration, and so on. I've also just realised that that might not be the best analogy for making it sound like a great idea to Americans!  Nothing wrong with that - Constitutional Monarchy is probably the best form of government mankind has stumbled upon. An apolitical head of state is impossible within the other forms, and Constitutional Monarchy has the outstanding advantage of denying the Head of Executive Government absolute power. It is the Sword of Damocles which dangles over the head of every wannabe dictator. A forum modelled along those lines is totally awesome as far as I am concerned.  |
|
|
|
Post by ShivaTD on Aug 8, 2013 12:48:08 GMT
Just realised something - what I'm suggesting as a forum structure is, in a way, something akin to a 'constitutional monarchy' - a permanent 'head of state' (the admin - me) who is largely 'ceremonial', in that I deal mainly with the background admin stuff and don't have the authority to actually do anything important in term of how things are run, and a democratic (to an extent) 'parliament' of 'representatives' who are really 'in charge', and do the day to day work of moderating, making decisions, administration, and so on. I've also just realised that that might not be the best analogy for making it sound like a great idea to Americans! Nothing wrong with that - Constitutional Monarchy is probably the best form of government mankind has stumbled upon. An apolitical head of state is impossible within the other forms, and Constitutional Monarchy has the outstanding advantage of denying the Head of Executive Government absolute power. It is the Sword of Damocles which dangles over the head of every wannabe dictator. A forum modelled along those lines is totally awesome as far as I am concerned. Ever read the book Glory Road or other books by Robert Heinlein? While a writer of fiction he addresses many political ideologies in a rather unique manner. |
|
openmind
Scribbler
Posts: 13 
Politics: Independent
|
Post by openmind on Aug 8, 2013 19:22:27 GMT
I'm glad you plan on posting as well. It makes you more "real" and also more human. I enjoyed reading your posts in the "other" forum, and I would miss your views.
Thanks for inviting me to look into this new site. I think I may like it, once I get the hang of "posting" here!
I see a lot of names I recognize, some I agreed with, others I didn't, but all seem to be willing to start fresh and to engage in REAL debates and keep. . .an "open mind!" This is the reason I changed my mind (I guess I was tired of being referred to as "sardine," "sadomy," and "sad anie!"
I won't be posting much in the next few weeks because I am away from my home and I don't always have access to wifi during my stay in Europe, but I will certainly try to keep up with (what I think will be) the growth of this new site.
Good luck! I believe you have a winner if the membership continues to be willing to engage in intelligent, balanced debates.
|
|
|
|
Post by ShivaTD on Aug 8, 2013 19:56:30 GMT
I'm glad you plan on posting as well. It makes you more "real" and also more human. I enjoyed reading your posts in the "other" forum, and I would miss your views. Thanks for inviting me to look into this new site. I think I may like it, once I get the hang of "posting" here! I see a lot of names I recognize, some I agreed with, others I didn't, but all seem to be willing to start fresh and to engage in REAL debates and keep. . .an "open mind!" This is the reason I changed my mind (I guess I was tired of being referred to as "sardine," "sadomy," and "sad anie!" I won't be posting much in the next few weeks because I am away from my home and I don't always have access to wifi during my stay in Europe, but I will certainly try to keep up with (what I think will be) the growth of this new site. Good luck! I believe you have a winner if the membership continues to be willing to engage in intelligent, balanced debates. It didn't take you long to "jump ship" after an invitation. LOL One thing that has been pointed out is that it is opposing political opinions that matter the most. A political forum where everyone agrees is rather boring (although I'm also a member of a Libertarian forum and we don't agree LOL). I'm sure that I speak for everyone in welcoming you. We hope to grow as a forum based upon freedom of political expression and common courtesy being shared by all members. |
|
openmind
Scribbler
Posts: 13
Politics: Independent
|
Post by openmind on Aug 8, 2013 20:03:39 GMT
Thanks. . .I think!
I guess I was "ripe for the picking" (or something like that!. . .I still have some problems with English expressions, I hope you won't hold it against me!).
|
|
|
|
Post by ShivaTD on Aug 8, 2013 20:08:01 GMT
Thanks. . .I think! I guess I was "ripe for the picking" (or something like that!. . .I still have some problems with English expressions, I hope you won't hold it against me!). I've been accused of being "ripe" but that usually related to body odor after a long sweaty ride on my Harley on a hot summer day. LOL The fact is that you noticed the identical problems that others of us noticed. We certainly hope, and are dedicated to, not having them here. |
|
openmind
Scribbler
Posts: 13
Politics: Independent
|
Post by openmind on Aug 8, 2013 20:20:51 GMT
I hope those "problems" can be left behind.
I agree that it takes differing opinions and honest debate to make a forum interesting. What it doesn't need is authoritarian policing of comments, especially when one side of the debate is systematically favored against the other side.
I appreciate every intelligent and honest opinion, whether or not I agree with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by cenydd on Aug 9, 2013 9:32:26 GMT
Thanks for coming along and joining us. Enjoy your stay in Europe (and your English is much better than many supposedly native speakers I've known!). We certainly won't be having an authoritarianism or political bias going on with the moderation here - so far, of course, nobody's been breaking the rules, and long may that continue!
|
|
|
|
Post by wyly on Aug 13, 2013 21:26:53 GMT
Howdy, stranger! so far your invitees reflect the rational even tempered debaters from the old forum, a great formula for stimulating but still civil debate |
|
|
|
Post by ShivaTD on Sept 7, 2013 10:04:38 GMT
Howdy, stranger! so far your invitees reflect the rational even tempered debaters from the old forum, a great formula for stimulating but still civil debate |
|
|
|
Post by Leo on Sept 13, 2013 22:12:59 GMT
so far your invitees reflect the rational even tempered debaters from the old forum, a great formula for stimulating but still civil debate I suspect that you are (as usual) correct. A debate cannot be had without certain rules of engagement - anything else is a verbal brawl. My view of the matter is this - a discussion is of use only if one respects the rights of others to disagree, and while such discussion is unlikely to cause one's viewpoint to rotate 180 degrees, there is the possibility, even the likelihood, if one's opponent is articulate, and not an ideologue, that one may shift one's vantage point a few degrees. That can be useful, but the moment personal invective enters the discussion, that possibility is still-born. |
|
|
|
Post by ShivaTD on Sept 14, 2013 2:29:00 GMT
A good debate is like a pugilistic contest under the Marquis of Queensberry rules. I suspect that you are (as usual) correct. A debate cannot be had without certain rules of engagement - anything else is a verbal brawl. My view of the matter is this - a discussion is of use only if one respects the rights of others to disagree, and while such discussion is unlikely to cause one's viewpoint to rotate 180 degrees, there is the possibility, even the likelihood, if one's opponent is articulate, and not an ideologue, that one may shift one's vantage point a few degrees. That can be useful, but the moment personal invective enters the discussion, that possibility is still-born.
|
|
