KMA-628

I'm gonna take this one in itty-bitty pieces.

First, as to the wording: That kind of behavior is common in almost all circles of life. You can't get your message across if the people listening don't understand what you are saying. I read the playbook and it is not some underground conspiracy, it is merely recommending how to deliver the message without alienting your audience. Ask anybody in advertising or sales; this is commonplace. Hell, I even took an NLP course in order to help me make more sales.

Here is an example: I consider myself a pretty smart guy, but my head hurts when I have to read roach's posts. While the concept he is talking about is not beyond me, his manner of writing puts me off. I just prefer more straightforward, simple language. End result: roach loses me as an audience because his message has no chance of connecting to me because of the wording and the style,

Like I said, I read some (not all, but some) of the playbook and it didn't bother me. It actually made sense.

As to the second paragraph I quoted from you....

You and I are from complete opposite spectrums in regards to idealogical thought. That doesn't make you right nor does it make me wrong. As foreign as my beliefs are to you, I assure you yours are to me as well.

But it appears as if you fail to understand that people like me are not all sheep. It just boils down to a difference in how we all view the world and events around us.

As to the topic at hand, you should remember that I have talked about it long before it became the conversation du Jour. It just so happens that many of the key talking points that are listed in that memo are very similar to concerns that I personally held based on my own research.

No one told me how to think and nobody suggested that I take this issue up as a cause. I was actually studying something completely different and kept coming across information that helped formulate the opinion that I have today.

Lastly....

I know our goverment sucks. I know that there are many things that happen that shouldn't. I am not so blind as to not see that.

I just look at it differently. Compared to most other gov'ts and cultures, I find this particular one suits me the best. It isn't perfect, but I feel it is the best one going.

I also know that some things are not attainable. World peace will never happen, regardless of what any of us want. Hunger will never end. Poverty will always be a blemish on every acre of land on this big ol' ball we call home. All of these things will always battle an opposing force that is much more powerful: human nature.

So, rather than try and change something I can't, I focus on things that I can have an effect on. While I do not condemn someone for choosing the more altruistic route, it is not for me.

My concern is that we are spiralling down an even worse path because we cannot get past our own differences. Both of our sides seem to have this worst-case scenario vision of each other. It is not hard to find some deep underworld conspiracy if you look for one. It's like some of these studies that get released. You give me what you want a study to prove, and I can prove it, regardless of how assinine the outcome you desire. When you came to the table already ladened with pre-conceived notions, you are going to leave with the same ideals because that is all you will see.

As with this case. I have many friends, co-workers, etc. that believe a lot of the same things I do, and.....

I can assure you that we are not evil. We are not pathological liars. We don't want more poverty. We don't want more hungry. We are not blind, short-sighted robots of the far-right regime. We are just people, just like you, and we want many of the same things you want. We just see a different way of getting there.