Political "debates" and me.

Dean Lampe · 02-16-08, 09:35 AM

It is hard for me to say but I am done. The debates tend to draw the same group of people each time. We are what we allow to enter our heads. Very little of the facts and data points are based on our own first-hand experience. It is more likely something we read or heard but we control the source from which it came and they have their own agendas. I will match you point for point left vs right, secular progressive vs traditional, conservative vs liberal but to what end? I am voting as I will and that will not change based on what I read here on the GT 40's forum. What I do see changing is my relationship with some of you. That is a shame but I am human and that is just the way it is. I am sticking to the cars from now on. I don't want to know about your politics anymore. When I see that side of a person, I realize that in some cases we could never be friends outside the forum. I would rather not know!

woodz428 · 02-16-08, 09:53 AM

I'm an American and believe in the Constitution as the law of the land. If that is an unacceptable position, well... I too will vote accordingly, however your definitions are what is wrong..."conservative vs.Liberal"??? I am neither, yet I am both, some of my positions are what would be consideraed "liberal" and some "conservative"...they are all held up to the Constitutional template which any and ALL Americans should do. Probably would be less disharmony and a better society.

Dean Lampe · 02-16-08, 11:27 AM

Thats what I am talking about. You make me wrong even when I have said "enough is enough, I'm done". Believe me when I say I am biting my tongue, but I am done.

woodz428 · 02-16-08, 12:46 PM

I am sorry if you felt like I was making YOU wrong..I wasn't, nor was I intending to. Those terms are not your terms, you just used them..they were, of course, coined by the same elements in society that like to breed disharmony...The politicians.

chuck smith · 02-16-08, 12:59 PM

why ruin a fun hobby with politics to begin with?

woodz428 · 02-16-08, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck 1

why ruin a fun hobby with politics to begin with?

I agree wholely. One of the reasons I rarely post on political topics although I am very politically active. I like to hear other views even when( especially) they are different than mine. I am not so thin skinned or insecure in my beliefs that any exchange will make me "dislike" someone. I may avoid contact with some people because they have sentiments that are caustic to the point of being violent, but they probably avoid me because I don't agree with them :-). I find the Golden Rule is a great motto to live by, yet so seldom used.

Pete. · 02-16-08, 04:16 PM

One of the great things about this forum compared to some others, is the politeness and restraint that most here show when putting a point of view.

The Political/Religious debates seem to be the ones where some come close to crossing the line into personal attack.
Personally I enjoy a debate and have a thick enough skin to not be offended or upset if someone disagrees with my point or takes a personal swipe at me.

If Dean chooses to opt out of these type of debates it is just that, his choice. The same choice we all have.

I don't believe it is a reason to stop them as Chuck1 seems to be suggesting.
That would be just another form of censorship.

woodz428 · 02-16-08, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Personally I enjoy a debate and have a thick enough skin to not be offended or upset if someone disagrees with my point or takes a personal swipe at me.

I'm the same Pete. I think when people are so thin skinned that they are offended by a counter-argument then we, as a Society, are in big trouble.

chuck smith · 02-16-08, 05:15 PM

I am far from suggesting censorship, I just find it curious that one would find it necessary to discuss such topics on an automobile forum. there are countless political or religious forums available to any of us that specialize in boring debate on unwinable arguments.

MReid · 02-16-08, 05:26 PM

I'm with Dean on this one. I used to read them and now don't even open them. Just my way and one of the beauties of this forum. Participate in any way you want - create, read and write, read only, ignore. I personally prefer the great car wisdom of the folks on here, not their political views.

Pete. · 02-16-08, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck 1

I am far from suggesting censorship, I just find it curious that one would find it necessary to discuss such topics on an automobile forum. there are countless political or religious forums available to any of us that specialize in boring debate on unwinable arguments.

The paddock is specifically for off topic posts. You might find the political/religious threads boring, but the one that is in contention right now has been going for nine days, has had 66 replies and 1,307 views, so not all find it boring.

"Unwinable"(sic) I agree with you.

chuck smith · 02-16-08, 05:48 PM

I avoid the Paddock, must be busy over there though. As I said, I just find it curious, it affects me none.

Dean Lampe · 02-16-08, 06:11 PM

For me it isn't about thin skin. I like to fight as much as the next guy. I find that there are always great data points to support whatever view you choose to put forward. I just enjoy the forum and I find that lately I am having trouble separating the Car guy from the political activist. For example my buddy Woodzy. I really enjoyed meeting you in London and at Run and Gun. I want to spend more time with you talking about your hot rods and the experience you bring is fantastic. If we continue a "passionate" debate about politics, I'm afraid it will carry over to the hobby. That sucks! Thats why I'm going back to the cars.

Iron Sheik · 02-16-08, 09:56 PM

Last time I checked with Ron, I was the Moderator for the Paddock section!!!

I wanted to be the Moderator for a section that has no rules

It would be very strange for a bunch of guys who drive Mini Vans to find each other “like minded” or even like each other at all (that would be pathetic). The owners of the GT40s,,, are “owners of cool cars” THAT’s IT , nothing more, nothing less (of course, some with great hands on skills).

For me, it is their sense of humor and their ability to poke fun of themselves that makes them special.

Politics and Religion are like a channel on TV that is broadcasting Soft Porn

you do not have to subscribe, if not interested. It becomes a problem when you go back to the same "channel" every night and then you say it is "awful".

woodz428 · 02-16-08, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

but the one that is in contention right now has been going for nine days, has had 66 replies and 1,307 views, so not all find it boring.

I didn't even look at that thread until it was mentioned here. I didn't really care what he said unless he was planning on invading us. I only read a page and some of the posts, I see the trigger. I do realize that this is an International forum and there is a pretty good chance that there will be differing perspectives.
I've enjoyed my experiences with Dean as well and look forward to seeing him in London again if he's there. He'd better have the GT40 too :-). Unless he threatened me or my kids( which I don't anticipate), I can always put the car thing in the forefront. I like to focus on the commons instead of the differences...because we are ..all....different.