Apropros the recent mood of the board

[Hoosier]

This came across my Facebook today, and seemed appropriate given the level of vitriol every debate ends up looking like:

The Republicans think everyone who doesn't agree with them is a Social bastard, and the Democrats think everyone who doesn't agree with them is a Fascist bastard, and that's just what The Machine wants! It cannot succeed unless it turns neighbor against neighbor! Shake hands with your partisan neighbor, and agree that this machine is your common enemy.

H.

[sneakerd]

Then who shall we turn and attack!!! Aaaaarghh!!!!

[nynco]

Then who shall we turn and attack!!! Aaaaarghh!!!!

The bastards behind the machine. The wealthy and corporations who own both parties and rig the laws to benefit them and screw you.

I agree with the first posting.

[sneakerd]

I don't know- I'm actually kind of bored with arguing this today. I've used too much of my brain today and that's not a thing a man should do too often. I'm feeling fatigued.

[flan7211]

I would like to say I've liked everyone of you I've met. You all seem like good guys and we all have similar interests. As to the politics, take it this way. Repub/Conservative types like myself should be encouraged some lefties are on here. It shows that Right, center-right, center, and left folks around here care about are 2nd A rights. No matter how heated it gets were still here for that reason.

[Ah Pook]

Hmmmmm, looks like I am a socialist bastard.

[mcantar18c]

I agree with the first posting.

I disagree with you and the first posting.
"The Machine" is not trying to pit neighbor against neighbor and tear us apart from the inside (that's a muzzie tactic, and a whole nother conversation).
My personal beliefs are conservative-libertarian. I think our defense budget should go untouched by budget cuts, "shall not be infringed" means exactly what it says, taxes should not be based on how well-off you are as a result of your hard work, and that the Constitution is not a living document and we need to do a 180 and get back on track with it. Ethically, I firmly believe that abortions should only be allowed in certain situations that should be handled on a case-by-case basis and not used as birth control, that anybody on drugs (including marijuana) is a worthless f*ck, and that gays are disgusting and severely screwed up however I don't think the gov't has no business telling you who or what you can f*ck as long as its consensual.
There are people (I believe you are one of them, Nynco) that disagree with me on many of these issues and others, both legally and ethically. Disagreeing is all well and fine, but the problem lies in the part where people from both sides want to run the same country.
The Man, The Machine, The Man behind the Curtain, whatever you want to call it/them.... is not trying to tear us apart. People that think this need to remove their heads from their asses and realize that We the People ARE The Man, and that disagreements in gov't are based upon different personal beliefs of the people.

[bobbyfairbanks]

I disagree with you and the first posting.
"The Machine" is not trying to pit neighbor against neighbor and tear us apart from the inside (that's a muzzie tactic, and a whole nother conversation).
My personal beliefs are conservative-libertarian. I think our defense budget should go untouched by budget cuts, "shall not be infringed" means exactly what it says, taxes should not be based on how well-off you are as a result of your hard work, and that the Constitution is not a living document and we need to do a 180 and get back on track with it. Ethically, I firmly believe that abortions should only be allowed in certain situations that should be handled on a case-by-case basis and not used as birth control, that anybody on drugs (including marijuana) is a worthless f*ck, and that gays are disgusting and severely screwed up however I don't think the gov't has no business telling you who or what you can f*ck as long as its consensual.
There are people (I believe you are one of them, Nynco) that disagree with me on many of these issues and others, both legally and ethically. Disagreeing is all well and fine, but the problem lies in the part where people from both sides want to run the same country.
The Man, The Machine, The Man behind the Curtain, whatever you want to call it/them.... is not trying to tear us apart. People that think this need to remove their heads from their asses and realize that We the People ARE The Man, and that disagreements in gov't are based upon different personal beliefs of the people.

You may want to rethink that entire libertarian leaning part. For some one who is claiming to be a libertarian you sure are taking a conservative stand on a lot of issues there. The entire premise of being a libertarian is that the government doesn't infringe on your life at all. So that would mean you are ok with gays, drug use (I bet you smoke and drink) and abortions.

I think you need to take a step back and look at yourself. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

[mcantar18c]

I think you need to take a step back and look at yourself.

I think you need to read more carefully and think before you talk (or type, in this case).

1. I said conservative-libertarian. As in, conservative with some libertarian tendencies.
2. I started out the part with gays, drugs, etc. with "Ethically,..." Ethics and morals are different than laws and government. I also ended it with the bit about not thinking it's the govt's place to tell gays what they can and can't do. As far as drugs go, I don't care what people do to themselves... you choose to do something to yourself, by all means go for it. My problem (where I believe the law should come into play) is where people's actions start to interfere with the lives of others. And don't pull the "drugs don't make you do crazy things" BS. I can't count how many news reports I've seen in the past few months alone about someone high on ___ going bat-shit crazy on some random person. One very recently where someone high on "bath salts" (synthetic coke) went berserk on a woman in a grocery store, violently shaking the shopping cart with her infant child in it. Another one where some homeless f*ckup on ___ (I don't recall what it was, but I'm pretty sure it was bath salts in this one as well) grabbed a baby out of his stroller while his mom was walking him and slammed it into a light pole and attempted to eat its arm (seriously, no joke). And I'm pretty sure you know what abortion is/does, no need to go into that.
Bottom line, if you aren't harming anyone else/infringing on someone else's God-given rights, I don't give a flying f*ck what you do and the gov't has no place trying to tell you you can't.

[two shoes]

You may want to rethink that entire libertarian leaning part. For some one who is claiming to be a libertarian you sure are taking a conservative stand on a lot of issues there. The entire premise of being a libertarian is that the government doesn't infringe on your life at all. So that would mean you are ok with gays, drug use (I bet you smoke and drink) and abortions.

I think you need to take a step back and look at yourself. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

I have been struggling with the apparent conflict within. Conservative vs. Libertarian...

I follow the Christian faith but feel the gov't should be the hell out of peoples lives. I am personally against abortion, but the gov't should't be involved to pay for or hinder this. The Doctors and women who do this will answer for their actions, in my mind. This has been vetted in our courts. Gays, even gay marriage... I do not like the idea or condone the practice, but damn, if they are willing to stand up for their pursuit of happiness, then so be it. I knew when I went into the military that I would be defending our Flag and defend someone's right to burn it. Hard pill to take, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

I used to be hardcore right wing and supported everything that went with it... but now think that religion should be a very personal thing and not dictated to the masses. I would hope that someone would see something in me to ask about my beliefs and then be able share with them.

I am for Liberty. I am for the rights outlined for us in the Constitution, for all men and women and men that act like women and visa versa. Although my religious beliefs guide my own actions I will not impose them upon others.

Am I the only one that is working through this?