Certainly, we are all upset, or convicted... regarding things that are well outside ourselves as individuals.
We recieved a form letter that in effect said to take the debate to 'other forums' that are set up for that.
I got to thinking about that.
What would that be like..... and why is LymeNet Off-Topic for so many years such an attractive place?
Granted -- there is at times a kind of animosity that is, shall we say --- unsavory
But I want to look at the appeal.
Why do we keep coming back?? Despite LaBrat's irresitable charm..I have to believe there is something else going on here --
I believe it is because we are all sharing a common strife (Lyme disease)..
which binds us... and in that umbrella we can come here and meet on the ever present state of the world around us --
which at this time is extrordinarily 'heavy'.
When I was sicker...I didn't come here at all. I don't think this subject matter is something you can take on when you are ill.
When I think about going to other sites to discuss things of this nature -- I get the sence that it would be stepping back into the great divide.
hanging around with folks who only see things from a similar perspective.
To my mind ---
That would be regressive .. what good is there in that, really -- talking to only those that see it all the same way?
All it would do is divide a (albeit small) group that comes together regularly..
for SOME reason.. I believe some of us never talked with opposing minded people on the War -- ect..at least not in detail or regularly.
and I think minus the innapropriate bashing that sometimes happens..which is a problem with INDIVIDUALS who can't follow rules of etiquette.. not a content issue.
-- this is a special little hub, because we are all talking in one place, despite those divides.
I see since the notice we have a shake-up.
I guess I just hope we can hold onto the good part..I would miss it if it was gone. (even you -- my Ratty friend, I know you're in there somewhere )
-- I would miss that we all, from opposite ends of the spectrum -- that we got together and talked.
That is so important, and there aren't too many places that folks are doing this in this Nation.
I actually think we need more of that, in general around the country.
OK - I'm done.
Mo
[ 15. March 2006, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Mo ]
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
In the end, I think it's a good thing to end the political craziness on the board, and I think it's a great idea to do away with it. Who in the world ever changed their mind because of what someone wrote? No one. Who got stressed out, upset, and stressed their immune systems? Everyone, and it's not worth it.
The political grandstanding craziness should end......absolutely. It sounds like it's finally happened. Posts: 600 | From Las Vegas, NV | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Well, the squabbling and political stuff is what made me skip offtopic most of the time. Why listen to what upsets me and repeats what is available elsewhere 24/7?
I know Iraq and the current administration is important, but there doesn't seem to be anything that I personally can do about it. And it doesn't seem that doing anything or changing minds even is happening here. There is so little personally that I am able to do about anything, and am usually fighting off depression, so it is a downer to come here.
It would be nice if there were other topics. Surely people have other interests that we could share. If not discuss, then learn something.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Softballmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6235
posted
I agree with other Topics maybe with politics here and there but not everywhere.
When I was really sick I was visiting Medical and Support, but my disease was my whole life. When I wondered to off topic it gave me an outlet where I didn't think about my illness as much and seem to help me, I even made good friends who over email helped me through some very difficult nights when I was battling depression and insomnia. I don't know what I would have done if it were not for OT.
I have tryed to move over to other boards but one, I don't like foul language and that is hard to get away from and two, I just don't feel as comfortable as I do here.
-------------------- It's not the Lyme, I just can't spell! Posts: 1331 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by 24bit: In the end, I think it's a good thing to end the ... ... ... ... ...The political grandstanding craziness should end......absolutely. It sounds like it's finally happened.
If it bothers you so much, why do you reply to so many posts? Why even read them? There must be some innate desire to understand the situation in the world; what it means for the future sustenance of the human species. When one begins to think, remarkable things start to happen. We get scared, since we think we won't be able to live with ourselves if we admit we were wrong. But history shows over and over that it;s the winners; the ones who get closest to the truth; who will be able to look back with joy and appreciation, who admitted they were wrong, and adjusted their outlook accordingly, again and again. Our view as human beinhs is never perfect, but perhaps might become "perfectly imperfect". That this view changes from moment to moment is NOT a negative. At all. Reality changes from moment to moment. If we do not have the flexibility to constantly adjust our "World View" we will be left behind in a morass of useless and meaningless expedients that no longer hang together to inspire us to live. And we see that to accuse someone of "waffling" is really to point to one's lown lack ability to change. To call ones willingness to discuss, "grandstanding craziness", is to again waggle one's finger at his or here own inability to listen! I've changed my mind countless times, as a result of hearing a logical argument. In mathematics as well as politicol discussions! To refuse to do so is to cut one's life off from the path of the truth- seeker. It's really surprising how good it can feel to changes one's position from the erroneous to the valid. Please note that I'm not insinuating for a second that my ideas are always the valid ones! But as a result of willingness to constantly rethink things, they are unquestionably more valid thab they would have been, if I had always,um 'stuck to my guns', (as it were...). DaveS
Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Hey you folks...
Imagine for a minute I'm a congressman trying to find out what lymenet is all about before I vote on a bill about lyme disease.
I or my office workers slide over to O/T and see some of the stuff that goes on the board there.
Ya think I would vote FOR anything to help those afflicted with lyme or come away with the thought that there's nothing but nut cases there.
Those that don't like either party and preach revolution etc...veiled as it may be at times.
Free speach yes...responsability always.
Hey Dave and your other brother Dave with numbers. Do either of you understand that it's difficult for lymies to read blocks of words...
how bout understanding this for starters and break up your posts in the future.
Nuff said......zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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quote: Hey Dave and your other brother Dave with numbers. Do either of you understand that it's difficult for lymies to read blocks of words...
how bout understanding this for starters and break up your posts in the future. [/QB]
--Sorry about that- usually I try to do so, but it was getting late.... (Just had to say something, though....)
Dealing with Lyme, including the inavailability of proper medical treatment, opens our eyes to the fact that some things are not quite right... Hence we discuss ways in which we can work to make things a little righter. To discuss societal and environmental challenges, and the social action these engender, is a natural extension of this, isnt it?
And if any, uh, "old hippies" come along and offr a few insights that might "rub someone the wrong way", we don't necessarily have to read them, if we feel we aren't in a condition to deal with that stress!
That's the whole idea of an "off-topic" section, isn't it. I would have as much complaint about a post there being censored, as long as it didnt contain obvious grotesque b.s., as I would about a post in medical being censored becaus it decried the harassment of a good doc.
We need FLPhD's, too (future-literate PhD.'s) as well as FLDHN's (Future-literate doctors of Hard Knocks) -that is, all of us-- staying :COOL and discussing things, coming forth to get to the bottom of why things aren't they way they should be...
Lymenet should be a place where truth can surface; the way to make truth float to the top is to stir that thought- soup with discussion!
Discussion by those who feel they are ready. Not forced.
Maybe we could have a "light off topic" section and a "serious off topic" section to fulfil the needs of those who aren't yet ready to jump all the way back to the maelstrom of the real world. DaveS
Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
There aren't that many of us. Maybe we could agree on some rules of etiquette.
Some of the discussion has reminded me of when SNL had a spoof on "Crossfire." Dan A. and Jane C. were in these. Dan frequently started his replies with "Jane, you ignorant slut..."
People don't have to agree to treat each other with consideration and kindness.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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LabRat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 78
posted
I think knocking off the political crap is a great idea. I have to agree with Lou, it serves no useful purpose zip, nada and nein! It probably even serves our opponents if we are unaware. All this started with a professor hanging up a bunch of anti war crap, where to go, what to say, what to think and who to flood with emails.
I've been visiting Lyme net for many years and each year that rolls around we have a fund drive to keep the lights on. Each year I'm good for my fair share and figure I'm in close to $1000 all total so far. No one has ever emailed asking for more and some have given much more.
Here's the thing that grinds on me, I don't want to give my gift and have it used, Imo, against me or my country. I don't want to come here and see a left leaning clothes line where, if it stinks, it gets posted. The posters generally have to know they are posting crap but hey, if it makes America or Bush look bad, somebody will believe it!
This war is as much about information/dis-information as it is about shooting someone. Our opponents would like to change the way we think about ourselves and Mr. Bush. Love him or hate him, he's the biggest dog in this war on terror and our opponents probably wish for two things. They had never heard of the towers and Bush would have a heart attack! It's get the dupes out to protest the temp of tap water! Keep em whipped up and our protest will be seen around the world at five o'clock. Use America's freedoms against her. Use the constitution to hamstring our government and figure out how to make the Americans pay for it! I've never seen a lefty stand up for his country by putting himself in harms way and I've never seen one pay his own way! Maybe you have. They sure as hell want to be in on calling the shots though!
Those or my thought's, I've been consistent and I will remain consistent, (unless you drop out of the sky with a machete in each hand,) then negotiations would be in order. I'm a reasonable man!
Posts: 1887 | From Corpus Christi, Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
I guess I missed whatever went on because I quit reading off topic on account of everything was long cut and paste threads i had no intention of reading thoroughly and wasn't about to respond to if I hadn't.
thread after thread after %#$X*!!thread
no room for anything but political posturing
reminds me of when Shoprat tried to make everything so dead serious before the last election, every now and then I couldn't resist turning those threads into jokes...
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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RE: who would now rather not 'talk about politics' - and who would like to continue open discussions. ----- with the exception of SBM.
(Then of course there's Charles - our Libertarian friend who truly never has discussed any of it. )
I truly don't see War and healthcare, environment, economy ect as 'political' issues, tho. I believe the fact they are seen that way is part of the problem.
David said:
"People don't have to agree to treat each other with consideration and kindness."
I agree. This comes up in medical too.
Hey -- rather than practicing manners and using the board rules -- lets just eliminate all subjects here anyone may disagree upon.
Maybe we shouldn't discuss differing medical views either.
Maybe we should only be allowed to talk about gardening. Not much to disagree on there.
Mo
[ 22. March 2006, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: Mo ]
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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LabRat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 78
posted
Gardening? Well, that would be rather restricting but better than what we have now. Why, if you want to bad mouth Bush, don't you go to movedown.ugly, where you'll be knee deep in anti Bush, anti Americanism! If we wanted that crap its easy to find. I don't want to find it so I don't go there and my personal feeling is I don't want a bunch of left leaning crap/ half truths put up as fact as if I'm an idiot with no deductive reasoning!
I have said before that for the price of a secondhand tank, you could have a thousand web sites all quoting and sourcing one another and if everybody says it, it must be true! Somo, you support our opponents, I'll stick with Bush and America! It's been fun and if you were better looking, (and I was a lot younger) I'm sure a round of drinks would be in order but, that could lead to problems. After a few drinks and cigarettes, we'd become ``buddies'' and hang out together. Then we'd have a national emergency and both get drafted, sent to the front and I don't want to share a fox hole with a whining, sniveling lefty!
Posts: 1887 | From Corpus Christi, Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Ya know Mo mo this is how it gets started...
You come on here with that superior attitude and covertly bash other posters....
They don't like it and bash back...then you turn around and call them insulting,bashers when hey...you started it in the first place.
Left handed compliments/inferences etc etc...
OH but don't let anyone hit back cuz that would'nt be proper! Ha!
You say that war,economics etc are not political issues? Was that a typo or are you serious?
Are you serious?
I for one will debate with anyone. I however don't like to see post after post of what I considered left wing propaganda filling up this discussion board.
Preaching rather than bringing up things for discussion. As if disagreement means we are uninformed,hoodwinked,sheep.
I know you don't like to respond to me...but what about the scenario I posted earlier?
No comment? No understanding of what affect the paper hung stuff here may have on legislators and our lyme plight?
Did you see for example last night's guest on the Daily show...an ex pilot with Saddam?
He said Hussein had WMD's and hid them into Syria. This is a guy who sat face to face with Hussein.
I know the world is going to hell in a handbasket and it has been going on for quite some time...don't worry though...the Mayan's figured it out...we only have about six more years and it will be all over....
You and me and the rest here can't do a dang thing about any of it...especially in the incapacitated condition we're all suffering.
Continually decying how bad this country is or has been does'nt do a hell of a lot for hopeful thinking either. In that respect it is quite depressing here in O/T.
Oh by the way...Gardening is how Polly in Lyme Conecticut was infected...so that's not even safe!
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Since when does not liking when an elected representative trashes the Constitution, make you anti-American?
Posts: 856 | From Texas | Registered: Jan 2005
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LabRat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 78
posted
Here we go again?
Posts: 1887 | From Corpus Christi, Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Yeah that's it...follow the constitution to the letter of the law...
That's why so many criminals are out walking the streets and there are more laws protecting their rites rather than their victims....
How is that working for ya woody?
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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Softballmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6235
posted
quote:Originally posted by lymie tony z: Yeah that's it...follow the constitution to the letter of the law...
That's why so many criminals are out walking the streets and there are more laws protecting their rites rather than their victims....
How is that working for ya woody?
zman
AMEN brother!
-------------------- It's not the Lyme, I just can't spell! Posts: 1331 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
C'mon guys... I don't want to make a big deal outta this. It was just a request to Tony. That's all.
Posts: 856 | From Texas | Registered: Jan 2005
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Well now in the first place due to my lyme raveged cognitive spelling inability I find it somewhat difficult to spell teaqyes...so I've resorted to euphamisms that are easier for me to spell...
However, when you stop calling our CinC names like facist,imperialist,etc....He's not here to defend himself ya know...
Unless the NSA is monitering our site...hee hee!
I'll consider it! Actually I thought woody was kinda cute!
I could call you by your REAL name....like you do me...What is it?
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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I'm still thinking this isn't a subject matter issue.
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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Softballmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6235
posted
You two are like my two youngest...
"He keeps calling me names!"
"Well she won't shut up!"
Good thing you guys are talking over the internet or it would be...
"He puntched me in the stomach!"
Well, she poked me right in my eyeball!"
-------------------- It's not the Lyme, I just can't spell! Posts: 1331 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
You're right SBM but I had four sisters and I learned a long time ago not to hit women!
No matter what they say!
MO ...now what was the subject of this thread...I thought I addressed the issue...you just ignore me like your buddy woody!
That's Ok though...I know you really don't want to discuss anything....
You just like to preach! Like your buddy/t....
Let's see t...you named yourself after a horse you once owned right!?
My only question is what end of that horse were you thinking of when you decided to name yourself after it? Hee hee hee hee hee zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
This pretty much sums up this post and the recent "off topic" controversy.
posted
Tony... you list your name, "Tony", in your post, so it seemed fine to use it to refer to you. What do you prefer?
I am still asking you not to call me "woody". Will you please not do that?
And was your last comment about my horse... was that really necessary?
Can we just have an agreement, wherein both of us agree not to lower ourselves to name-calling or insults?
Posts: 856 | From Texas | Registered: Jan 2005
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Like I said t, when you stop referring to our elected officials as facist,imperialistic dictators...I'll consider your request.
In the meantime, try and have a sense of humor!
I don't have a problem with you using my name by the way...what is your real name!?
What are you afraid of? The NSA? I mean after all they really would'nt need it to find you anyway...if they so desired.
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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