The good news is, people are trying harder to get along. 

I appreciate that, Audrey; you have my apologies as well.  I have been a bit of a coiled-up rattlesnake lately, and I am not proud of that.

My compliment to you on Learnem's blog was sincere.

I don't think any of us are very proud of ourselves lately.

Maybe we can start over Apollo Dawn.  ;-)

Yes, we can.  :)

Good post Audrey. I will say when I signed in yesterday AM and saw the titles of some of the blogs I started getting pissed. Then when I began by reading comments from the usual suspects I just lost it and started getting nasty.

I still think when any of us is going to make a statement (unless we have solid proof) we should start with "in my opinion".

Pogo

I think the only way this is going to change is for us to police ourselves.  Like Sioux did for me by telling me to calm down. 

We need to let someone know, as kindly as possible, when they're getting out of hand.    And we need to make our support bipartisan.

I think we all miss the blogs the way they used to be when we all had so much fun.  We were a group of friends and I have confidence that we can be friends again.

For me, it is going to be a matter of reading what is going on first, then taking a very deep breath before I decide to jump in.

For example, I've been reading Alicen/Ron Mexico, etc. comments about the 10% un-employment and have decided I don't need that on a nice Sat. aft.

Guess I'm getting mellow in my old age.

I got an e-mail from Sioux (my old adversary) the other day which was very nice and informative.

Pogo

I think we've come to the same conclusion.

I was just talking to my daughter, Catherine, and told her that I'm going to skip the blogs which make me see red.  Negative Obama blogs are a fact of like, but that doesn't mean I need to participate in them.

'remember' *grin*

Sounds like a plan, my friend, thanks for this blog.

I'm off for errands.

Have a good weekend Pogo. 

Yes,  Sioux.

Thanks Witters

You also rock.

I never read the rules on debating until I googled it.  I don't follow every rules to heart, but I personally like # 3-6, 8, and 13-22.  

http://www.paulnoll.com/Boo...

1. Avoid the use of Never.
2. Avoid the use of Always.
3. Refrain from saying you are wrong.
4. You can say your idea is mistaken.
5. Don't disagree with obvious truths.
6. Attack the idea not the person.
7. Use many rather than most.
8. Avoid exaggeration.
9. Use some rather than many.
10. The use of often allows for exceptions.
11. The use of generally allows for exceptions.

12. Quote sources and numbers.
13. If it is just an opinion, admit it.
14. Do not present opinion as facts.
15. Smile when disagreeing.
16. Stress the positive.
17. You do not need to win every battle to win the war.
18. Concede minor or trivial points.
19. Avoid bickering, quarreling, and wrangling.
20. Watch your tone of voice.
21. Don't win a debate and lose a friend.
22. Keep your perspective - You're just debating.

Gosh honorerdieu

GREAT POST.  I'm going to copy it down and keep it by my computer.  THANKS.

Certainly I need to chill out from jacking up the acrimony on the blogs as well. No doubt I have let my emotions get the best of me just like anyone else as well as Catholic League's Bill Donohue as he noted in his recent column in which he forgave atheist Christopher Hitchens after he apologized for calling Mother Teresa the "B" word: http://www.catholicleague.c...

Hopefully someday we will all come to the realization that Satan indeed is behind all this in seeking to divide and destroy--and rise up against him. Meanwhile, just know that whenever I come in here and start throwing bombs, it's not aimed at my brothers and sisters but the one whom Jesus called "a murderer from the beginning" and the father of lies. For now he is a tough one to torpedo.

I'm fully aware that some folks may think I've lost my mind in talking like this. But's it's all biblical and prophetic. And we know who wins in the end.

Throw your bombs at Satan, and I will be there with you. Throw your bombs at human beings who are not intentionally and knowingly doing evil, and you will hear from me.

We do indeed know who wins in the end. With the right approach, more unsaved souls might accept the gift of forgiveness from the Winner.

I don't comment as often as many but I can go off on a tangent sometimes and I would welcome a email or message from someone maybe not to close to the issue that would let me know if I'm being a jerk.  Not if I'm wrong that would take to much out of your day but if I'm being a jerk or disrespectful.

Seems more civil around here Audrey, maybe you started something.  

Too many politics on the blogs nowadays, so I don't blog much anymore, just read. Better for me to stay out of the heated conversations. I liked the old days, a year BEFORE the elections!

I can agree on that one, every title always has to have Obama on it. I mean he's just another president and a human being nothing more. People didn't make a big thing on the other presidents.

As for newcomers, anyone can join in on this site. It seems like only old bloggers are allowed on here only. Anyone is welcomed on here as long as they obey the Ground Rules for posting comments.

I think the truth is every one is going to have negective comments and positive comments about any president, no matter who it is. Every single president is going to have people who like and dislike him. That's just the way it is, we have the right to dislike a president but if that president is elected, than we have to except him no matter what.

Am I an old time blogger---or just drunk AudreyB.....Hi everybody...I've been off for awhile---just letting the dust settle out here---sad to see so many people at each others throats lately....

Great post Audrey!

My graphics card burned out so I "took" a vacation..unwillingly ,but a time away none the less. We do all need to police ourselves .

 honorerdieu~ wise rules for engagement.

all the animosity is coming from Pax and savvy Dude ...

--virgil

 ... and,  Nancy !

--virgil

It's the damn conservatives! If they would just sit back and let the rest of us educate them, it would like Disneyland; the happiest place on earth.

Pogo, you know what I like best about you?  Your sense of humor.  :-)

Why thank you Nancy. BTW, I have decided to stay on this time, no springing up for me. I will be one hour behind the rest of the world for part of the year, but to hell with it!

Uhhh...but Pogo, it's falling back not springing up.  Where ARE you?  LOL.

What I'm saying is that I fell back and I ain't springin' back up. When April comes I will stay here, see you on the other side.