I Am Stupid And Ignorant Cause I Dont Agree With You Politically?

We have become an intolerant people, divisive, angry, full of non-existent absolutes, and the mentality that it's either your way or my way. Compromise or difference is the enemy - one single mindset is the absolute desire. I made the mistake recently of starting a discussion about evidence that a particular national leader had actually never intended to take a stand against enemies, but instead had another goal which was pursued instead. I stated that my intent was NOT to insult or offend, but that I wanted to know why, if we had this kind of evidence, we were not looking hard at it and why we were not seriously considering pursuing charges against such treasonous behavior. That I just wanted someone to explain to me what we should do if faced with this information regardless of party. Of course, the usual suspects made their appearances and I was accused of going to an anti site only (which is interesting because when their sites attack the opposition, they are NOT being anti, it seems). I said that truth is where you find it and you can't ignore it just because it isn't from your pet sites. I also pointed out that I have found good information on their own PRO sites that I have used on occasion, so it's not something I do just because it says what I want - I ask the questions because the sources appear to be legitimate and I honestly want to know what they think should be done given this possibility. So, today I noticed that my star points were dropping. I didn't insult them, I didn't call them names, I didn't fight with them - but I challenged them to provide an answer. Therefore, I had to be punished. I am to tolerate them, but they will NEVER tolerate me. I call these types myopic. They wear the blinders usually reserved for cultists.

I totally feel what you are saying right now. I read the political posts and sometimes I agree, sometimes I disagree and sometimes I am in the middle. Actually, me--I'm usually in between with most things. I am very much an independent thinker. It is just unbelievable how quickly adults turn into children when this topic comes up. I have a friend who is very conservative, and I will say that when we hung out a lot, in college, I considered myself very liberal. Now I feel like I'm a little more in the middle, because I have had deep thoughts about issues and realized that I didn't believe everything on either side. Anyway, my point is.. me and my friend were able to talk about politics and sure, I got annoyed with some things she said, and I'm sure she had those moments with me. But we never fought, never got mad at each other. We were mature about it, and I really think that's what the people of mylot need to do! We need to respect each others right to have our own beliefs and our own choices in who we vote for. This war over "my candidate is better than yours" really needs to end. And I really hope that by November 10th that people fighting will simmer down. I give it 6 days because well, I know there will be people who disagree with the outcome, no matter who wins! That being said, I am also not going to say who I support, but for a different reason.. I am honestly torn on that subject. I don't know who I agree with more/disagree with less. And that is my right, to not know. But we should be able to discuss our beliefs without being attacked. In reality, none of us are any more or less right about our choice of candidate. We believe what we believe, childish arguments are not gonna change where we stand on the issues because people say we are "dumb" because we don't agree with them. I may not agree with someone else, but I do respect them and their right to think the way they do! Use the great mind that God gave you, that's all you owe yourself, or anyone else. Hopefully I haven't offended anyone, because that is not my intention. But to Hatley, the original poster, I definitely agree with this. I am disturbed by the anger and hatred tone of some people on here lately.

It is a shame that it has happened. The best one can do is to learn as much as they can about each candidate, their policies and make the best decision they can.

I agree Hatley. It's awful that one can not proudly say who they are voting for without fear of nasty responses. It also irks me that there are people who do nothing but post flaming posts against one party or the other. Everyone is entitled to their opinion ... yes... but as adults, we also have the responsibility to do so in a decent, civil matter, with open mindedness be non-judgmental when expressing an opinion different than their own. I don't have any real answers for you except that some people just were not raised to respect and tolerate others when there is a difference in opinion. That being said, there are may friends on my list whom I do not share the same political ideas, but on the occasion we participate in the same discussion (political or not) we manage to stay civil (much to my relief, I hate conflict!) You are also NOT stupid and NOT ignorant

There is an old saying if you want to always have friends never discuss politics or religion lol

Of course not Hatley! This is America, and you can have your opinion and vote for whoever you want. But I think that some people take disagreement and disrespect as one in the same and its not. People also seem to think that once they state their opinion that somehow your opinion will change and get mad when it doesn't.

Hmmm ... we are all supposed to be adults here (he says, quickly reading the TOS, FAQs and Guidelines) but I guess that there are some topics which are always best not mentioned in any place where things are discussed - religion and politics being the main ones. Although, if you put your opinion forward on either of those topics, you are likely to receive very strong responses in opposition, it doesn't really mean that these responses are directed at you personally! If you think about it, most people who respond cannot possibly know you ... only what you say, which is not a complete picture. To take offence at what they say, simply because it appears to be a personal affront, is really ridiculous. I certainly wouldn't call you stupid just because you disagree with me. You (or I) might seem ridiculous because of our beliefs ... but that is an individual perception and we all have to be open to ridicule and, as adults, should know how to deal with it.

people do get hot and bothered when they believe in something really strongly but that is no excuse to get rude and insulting, doesn't stop some people though, does it?

It's not just here, Hatley. It's everywhere. I'm on another forum where I have chosen as my icon a graphic with my candidates names on it. Boy have I been attacked now that everyone knows exactly where I stand. People I thought were friends call me a moron just because I don't want the same candidate as they do. I am 56 years old and I have never seen people so divided and so angry as this year.

As friends you should agree to disagree!

i am like you. i dont believe in arguing over personal preferences. whats the use? people are going to believe what they want and we all have that right and should respect each others beliefs. i even took a person off my friends because every discussion they started was about their political candidate and veiws. it was as if they were campaigning on mylot and i dont think most of us are here for that. we get enough of it on tv, etc.

It would be ideal for people to discuss politics in that manner. It shouldn't matter, but people get so into their decision that they forget that it's okay for others to have their own. I try not to get upset, but I do too. I guess it's just our nature.

We can never avoid that other people are rude if your choosing the other candidates. I cant understand it though. I believe in respect too and i guess some people just cant control there temper during a debate. I dont understand either why there should be a debate lol If you like a certain candidate then go ahead and if you dont then just say nothing at all. I believe that if you have nothing good to say better not say anything at all. I dont understand either why some people cant just respect the opinions of others and there choices. I think everyone is entitled to there own opinion.

i don't think anyone is stupid or ignorant because they disagree with me. you're allowed to have your own opinion. what i don't like is when someone is voting for someone because OF something stupid and ignorant. i can't stand when they make arguments with fact that are factually inaccurate. i don't vote for anyone because of color or their background. i vote for someone for what they can do for me and my family and all the others just like me. i think sometimes we just have to agree to disagree. i've been known to get into some heated arguments but i never just attack anyone outright unless there is a reason behind it.

[i]Hi Hatley, I always skip that post even if they are my friends..LOL! First, I am not US Citizen and I cannot vote here, second, I tried to read those post and I can tell how everyone was insulting to each other just to defend their opinion which is not a healthy discussions anymore..We can always make it healthy by not saying any bad word or painful words, it is always possible to defend our side without losing our respect but I didn't see that in any of those post...SO, I always avoid those! [/i]

I think when it comes to religion and politics then for some reason everything gets turned on its head. I guess that people are so sure that what they believe in or who they vote for is right that anyone else that dares to say different or who has a different opinion is asking for trouble. I reckon that it is impossible to have an open, friendly debate on any social network or discussion forum anywhere because it just riles people up to the point of violence. I do not know why, but it is the way it has always been for hundreds and hundreds of years.

I don't know what the deal is. I'm pretty apathetic about politics, I'd rather not know about it at all, but bottom line, everybody can vote for and/or support whomever they want. There is no clear cut answer here, neither (or any) candidate ever agrees with anybody's standpoint 100%. I'll be honest here, I don't like ANY of the choices. I'm not saying both choices are awful but neither one makes me cheer either. We are supposed to be adults, yes. I think people need to remember that it doesn't matter who we vote for or support. It doesn't come down to a countrywide popular vote, it comes down to a different number of votes given to each state and then THOSE votes are the deciding factor. Just hope that your candidate wins more of the 'larger' states and then you can be reasonably sure that your candidate will have an edge. I don't think there's anything wrong with anybody who votes for either one. We all have our own reasons for liking or disliking particular things. There are definitely things I don't like about Obama but there are things I don't like about McCain. Seriously, I am at the point of choosing the least of two evils, I'm not going to even sugar coat it or pretend I actually enjoy either one of them. I don't.

Hi Hatley, There is something about politics that brings out the worst in people. I have definitely seen that. I made the mistake only once here. I will not get into any other political discussions no matter what. I got very upset myself. It is not worth fighting over political views when it really doesn't make much difference in the end one way or another. But it certainly makes for some serious arguments. For some reason all sense or respect and sanity goes right out the window when it comes to trying to have a civil discussion about either candidate so to me it is not worth it and I will stay out of all political discussions that take place here on mylot from now on before the election and maybe even after it.

I've found that in this race people are so reliant on sound bites and not really investigating the truth that they just hurl untruths at each other until someone gives up. I get excitable when discussing politics but I don't get personal and they only thing that really makes me mad is when people are just like "well you just don't read enough if that's what you think." The fact of the matter is that I have read quite a bit and can give my reasons for my candidate choice clearly and concisely. I am glad I did because it puts the "most people don't have a reason when asked why their voting for him." to bed. Debating can actually be fun but insults and name calling in my opinion just show that the other person doesn't know enough to sell you his/her candidate.

I have noticed that a lot of people get pretty heated on here when it comes to politics. Many people will even rate you negatively if you disagree with them. I would never rate someone negatively just because we don't share the same opinion. I think we should also be able to share our opinions and be respectful at the same time. The VP debate was a good example of two people respectfully voicing their political stances.