Are cynics crippling discussion?

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  1. mike102771 profile image70
    mike102771posted 11 years ago

    http://s3.hubimg.com/u/7702090_f248.jpg
    When posting anything on the net about politics or religion (but especially politics) there is always one person (more now than ever) saying that all politicians are crooks or a witty yet useless attack on any sign of faith? Some will say things about a person’s beliefs that are beyond belief. It would seem to some that as long as it does not mean anything to them than anything goes.

    Does “all politicians are crooks” or “Washington D.C. was built on a swamp and after 200+ years has returned a swamp” help any discussion or is it a sign of a person what just wants to add to a discussion without really contributing?
    Has anyone ran into a rude or crude comment after saying or posting a comment either outright offering a personal belief on religion or politics?

    1. bBerean profile image60
      bBereanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Mike,

           I know what you mean about the unproductive comments, and I agree.  I will throw in a one liner from time to time when the flow of the conversation seems to allow for it, but then I try to keep it as humor.  Pointed, maybe sometimes, but still humor. 

           One thing I get tired of, and I think this is relevant to your point as well, is not being able to have a thread stay on track with the OP.  For instance, who would think a thread asking "Whom do you Love Most after GOD ?" would be a lightening rod for the usual folks berating God, believers and their answers to the OP?  Seems if you don't believe in God, you could state that in your answer regarding who you do love, but why say horrible things about God and call those who believe in Him immoral, delusional, etc? 

           There are plenty of threads which invite that discussion, and I will occasionally take an active role in them, but why not leave threads that don't invite it alone?  Especially if they don't apply to you and your beliefs?  If you want to argue and attack, why not seek out a thread with a provocative title and engage there instead? 

          I am getting better at ignoring the trolls, but still, it would be nice once in awhile to have a friendly discussion with like minded individuals in a thread whose OP sets it up to be just that, without having it turn into a flame fest.  Perhaps some folks just can't be that considerate or civil, or perhaps they don't even realize they do it.

           Of course, that is just an example.  Many more could be given for religion, politics, and even other subjects.  Is this in line with the concern you expressed?

  2. SpanStar profile image61
    SpanStarposted 11 years ago

    Your issue is true and to the point. I am at a loss to understand the lackadaisical attitude that some people bring to the conversation yet and still the point you made about comments supporting their particular view prompts tends to be discounted when not pertaining to their perspective. I have also found there are some people who are infatuated with words and my how they like to go on about hypothetical concepts which either distract from the issues or simply is baseless in nature.

    There are times when I believe people are detached from reality and by so being they are out of touch with the truth for example if one has never experienced true poverty, gut wrenching starvation then it's easy to make snide comments regarding this condition, should however by some miracle they were placed in that condition I am quite certain they would not find it nearly as whimsical and humorous as they would like others to believe.

  3. innersmiff profile image65
    innersmiffposted 11 years ago

    All politicians are crooks. How one goes about presenting that point of view is the key.

    1. bBerean profile image60
      bBereanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Presentation is often everything, I suppose.  Consider the verbal calisthenics utilized to convey someone says things that aren't true, particularly when the media speaks about powerful politicians, without plainly saying the person lied and is therefore a liar.  Libel / slander lawsuits and too many lawyers I suppose, but if someone clearly lied there should be no issue in honestly declaring the fact.

      1. mike102771 profile image70
        mike102771posted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Funny, yet true.

        Government is like a car. When it runs and gets us where we want to go then we don’t think about it. Only when it breaks down do we care. The phrase “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom” comes to mind. We the people are as responsible for allowing government to break down. People who say such things as “all politicians are crooks” are essentially saying there is no way to fix this because anyone who wants to fix it is a crook. We complain and complain about the crooked politician, but we also have an over 90% reelection rate for congress and the senate.  Part of this is the “It’s not my congressman/senator who is a crook mentality” as well as the people who complain and do nothing about it (such as vote).
        Government should be treated like a car because when something does not work we replace it with a new part. Routine maintenance is the price of freedom.

 
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