Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

assilem · 07-20-2004, 08:10 PM

I just spent the last 30 minutes or so reading this entire thread and then reading it again.

I was attracted to the TFP because of the politics forum. When I arrived here back in April, I saw a political forum that I thought would accept and consider my views… for the most part. I found out shortly thereafter that I was dreadfully wrong. I hate to say the word but I guess I would consider myself a “moderate” (I just think the word lacks conviction). Some of my views and beliefs are pretty far to the “right” and other are pretty far to the “left”. Yet somehow, no matter how hard I tried NOT to be labeled as a “conservative”, I was being attacked for those views. So I went on a hiatus of undetermined length. After reading this thread… I see hope.

I have come to realize after reading several “left leaning” threads here on the politics board that I am not as far to the right as I had once thought and visa versa. A good example: My best friend and I have had several heated discussions about Michael Moore. He a supporter, myself a detractor. I have come to understand through these debates that Michael Moore is not so bad after all. Now don’t get me wrong, I think he is a hypocrite, but he (Michael Moore) made me realize something. It is the debate that his films generate that is important and so my friend and I found a common ground. A compromise, if you will.

I know what I believe in. I believe in liberty, freedom, personal responsibility, and an open society that encourages debate and therefore action. I have also come to appreciate other individual’s points of view and positions on issues. In the past I did nothing but disregard the side that I disagreed with and did nothing to understand it. This board and debate with my friends in the “real world” over the last few months has helped to reshape my attitude in regards to politics and social issues. I want to bring that attitude back to the politics forum and maybe produce some great ideas. Ideas without ideal. If that makes any sense. I have found that ideology makes little or no progress. And that, I believe, is the intention of this forum.

My thanks to you all. But especially to: Art, tecoyah, and for the very poignant commentary, ubertuber and wilbjammin.

07-20-2004, 08:10 PM	#47 (permalink)
assilem Insane Location: Eternity	I just spent the last 30 minutes or so reading this entire thread and then reading it again. I was attracted to the TFP because of the politics forum. When I arrived here back in April, I saw a political forum that I thought would accept and consider my views… for the most part. I found out shortly thereafter that I was dreadfully wrong. I hate to say the word but I guess I would consider myself a “moderate” (I just think the word lacks conviction). Some of my views and beliefs are pretty far to the “right” and other are pretty far to the “left”. Yet somehow, no matter how hard I tried NOT to be labeled as a “conservative”, I was being attacked for those views. So I went on a hiatus of undetermined length. After reading this thread… I see hope. I have come to realize after reading several “left leaning” threads here on the politics board that I am not as far to the right as I had once thought and visa versa. A good example: My best friend and I have had several heated discussions about Michael Moore. He a supporter, myself a detractor. I have come to understand through these debates that Michael Moore is not so bad after all. Now don’t get me wrong, I think he is a hypocrite, but he (Michael Moore) made me realize something. It is the debate that his films generate that is important and so my friend and I found a common ground. A compromise, if you will. I know what I believe in. I believe in liberty, freedom, personal responsibility, and an open society that encourages debate and therefore action. I have also come to appreciate other individual’s points of view and positions on issues. In the past I did nothing but disregard the side that I disagreed with and did nothing to understand it. This board and debate with my friends in the “real world” over the last few months has helped to reshape my attitude in regards to politics and social issues. I want to bring that attitude back to the politics forum and maybe produce some great ideas. Ideas without ideal. If that makes any sense. I have found that ideology makes little or no progress. And that, I believe, is the intention of this forum. My thanks to you all. But especially to: Art, tecoyah, and for the very poignant commentary, ubertuber and wilbjammin. __________________ The mother of mankind, what time his pride Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host Of rebel Angels