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blognroll - > Dr BLT's Blog n Roll Studio -> The Sound of Silence: Why do conservatives shy away from this blog community?
The Sound of Silence: Why do conservatives shy away from this blog community?
Hello right-wingers, my good friends!  "I've come to talk with you again---because a vision softly creeping, left its seed while I was sleeping..."

Lately I've been doing a lot of looking and listening.  Look around here at Bakersfield.com
What do you see?  What do you hear?  Do you notice the ratio between liberals and conservatives?  Conservatives, where are you hiding?  Hello!  This is Bakersfield.  We are loved and we are hated for being a conservative bastion.   I don't hear you?

Conservatives, what are you so afraid of?  Are you afraid of being bullied by your adversaries?  I've never been bullied here.  Sure, I'm a moderate and I do try to be civil and polite.  But I have been a moderate at other sites and other blog communities, only to be ruthlessly hated on by hard-core liberals.  Not here.  Perhaps it's because liberals here are more civil.  Perhaps it's because I try to be loving and get love in return.  Perhaps it's because of the rules and built-in protections at Bakersfield.com.  In any case, I feel relatively safe here.  How about you?  Are you afraid you will be shut down by the powers that be running this site?  Why won't you speak?  Why do you remain mum on issues of such relevance to you? 

Conservatives, I don't here you?  Where are you?  I don't see you.  Where is your voice? Well.........I'm waiting.  I'm baiting.  All I hear is the Sound of Silence
Posted in these Groups:
Topics: sound of silence, Dr BLT, Simon and Garfunkel, conservatives and blog communities, music, bakersfield, blogging
posted by blognroll on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 08:07 AM
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48 comments from 15 users

1

posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 08:23 AM
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, we is all afraid. We was so silence we let them thar Democrats take over both house's and we aferd of showing our selfs.
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 08:33 AM
I got tired of being "yelled" at and called names by the liberal posters.  The liberals seem to think that free speech is a one-way gate.  So now, I stay out of the political discussions.  (as a very tame example, see this morning's blog on global warming, and the term "whacko" used in one post.)
posted by ProgressivePete2 on Jan 26, 2007 at 08:52 AM
I can't even tell you all the names I've been called on these blogs. You're going to let that stop you from contributing? Sure I used the term whacko, and I've been called that myself at least 500 times (Geez, is it true?). I did choose a tame word to describe the person in that story, but I didn't call anyone here that. I know conservatives got "their butts handed to them" in the last election (not my words), but that doesn't mean that you guys shouldn't continue to give your opinions. One of the reasons I post here is that it allows me to understand where you're coming from. By retreating I am robbed of the opportunity to understand you. The harshness from liberals only comes out when dishonest arguments are used in place of honest opinion. The name calling only comes out when put downs are used instead of logical arguements. Nobody loves a civil 2 sided debate on a current event more than  me, but nobody really gets anything out of arguing about who is more picked on, or who's ideas are more out there, or who is more of a jerk. It's pointless really.

It is quite upsetting to me that anyone would think that I don't fully and completely support anyone and everyone's  right to free speech. I have long been an advocate for free speech, and I fully support speech that I find vile and offensive or that I just don't agree with, as well as the stuff I do agree with. It is not a one way gate, it's a revolving door of ideas that I'm here to listen to (read). I encourage you to contribute, because we're all better off if you do.
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Ron's big complaint was that I "slam" the President. So what? A great American, and former President had this to say about the occupant of the oval office:

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -Teddy Roosevelt
posted by adampayne on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:26 AM
I personally believe it is hard to define a conservative today. The meaning has shifted over the past twenty years to the point that there are small enclaves of splinter group mind sets that contradict one another. There are fiscal conservatives who want to pay as you go. There are libertarian conservatives who are extremely anti-government that contain gay and black elements opposed to affirmative action and government based aid, while on the opposite end the faith-based conservatives want all the government money they can siphon into their organizations' coffers.  Then there are the neoconservatives who push foreign involvements to further their corporate interests coming up against isolationist conservatives who fear anything foreign. It is always difficult to pigeon-hole  viewpoints because most people are complex and  walk about every day with their own contradictions. 

Liberals have been bashed for more than twenty years without let up by a very hostile right wing segment of the media. This forced liberals to compromise some extreme positions that the formerly splintered left had been repeatedly attacked for.  The left today has simply been beaten down into a mass of compromised positions, but that mass is pretty tough at this stage. Liberals have little left to compromise and the talking points now contain real weight  without contradictory conflict. The fact that the left has been articulate of late speaks volumes about how long we have had to think about the issues without a voice.
posted by anglo1 on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:40 AM
You are right BLT this is fairly civil compared to some blog sites.  I had a real bad day yesterday, had put down a 21 year old family dog, I was probably a little wimpy.  I know these comments aren't meant to be personal, we don't even really know each other usually.  I've learned a lot from everyone here.
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Pete, you hit the nail on the head when you said "civil 2 sided debate".  I've don't usually see you get belligerent or resort to low-blows, just because somebody doesn't agree with you.  But when one feels like they've been verbally slapped around (as Mattloch is very good at ) for voicing their opinion, or worse yet, (sorry Pete, I have to say this) being considered a "whacko" for their religious beliefs, it makes one tend to say "the heck with all of you."  Have your debates without me.
posted by irv on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:52 AM

Sorry, adam, but the dems have run congress all but twelve years of my life. Give me a break. They didn't have a voice in the "Great Society'? Or the Bay of Pigs? Or Vietnam. Oh, my bad, that was Nixon's war. I forgot my revisionist history. Liberal bashing by the media? This BS is why more of us don't contribute here.

posted by mattloch on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:54 AM
I don't think this can be categorized into a "liberal" v "conservative" issue, BLT. Take for instance Ron. He's complaining about being censored by the Californian, and after I posted something trying to explain to him "libel" and to ask for people to post examples of any bias the Californian may have against "conservative" postings, he deleted me. Let me repeat that: in a blog complaining about censorship, Ron has deleted my post for no other reason than he doesn't like what I said. Not because I called him names (which I didn't), not because I attacked his politics or his religious beliefs (which I didn't), not because any reason other than he didn't like what I had to say. I think my issue(s) with Sam Heath are pretty well known as well. But are these people deleting posts or refusing to engage in discussions because they're "conservative" politically, or because of their personalities? I don't think politics enters into it at all. I think people avoid posting in here because they are unable to handle the intellectual or emotional requirements that one must posses when talking about the issues we cover in here, in an honest and mature manner. If people want to take their ball and go home because they can't play by the rules, or want to play by their own rules, then that's their choice. We can't force people to talk in here. The best we can do is to encourage them to do so, and to try to hold everyone to the same high standards. It's too bad that people can't see past their own personal biases and try to see the larger world around them.
posted by blognroll on Jan 26, 2007 at 09:55 AM

You have a point, mattloch, and a pretty good one, I must say.  I can assure you that your comments will never be deleted by me, from any blog threads that I post.

"Ron's big complaint was that I "slam" the President. So what?" 

That's right, dusty.  Taking shots at the prez is not considered a personal attack since he's a public figure.  But we should be careful about which presidents we compare one another too.  I, for one, would be extremely insulted if someone where to compare me to Jimmy Carter, who recently wanted one of his own comments censored from his new book because it made obvious his sympathy for those who commit terrorist acts against Israel. 

posted by TomW on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Do you have a link for that, Doc?  I know his book has been ruffling feathers, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
posted by blognroll on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:09 AM

I came across a direct quote, and it was from an old media publication.  I don't recall the name of the newspaper where I came across the quote.  It also quoted Jimmy Carter---more specifically, his expressed desire to have the comment removed in subsequent published copies.  I will keep looking, and if someone is able to produce the quote before me, be my guest.  Here is a link to CNN's coverage of the book controversy, which also contains footage of Carter's response:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/...

posted by jasonsperber on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:27 AM
From Reuters: "He apologized for a passage that can be interpreted as supporting suicide bombings as a negotiating tactic, saying it was a "mistake" and would be removed from future editions."
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:42 AM
BLT, Carter has stated he wrote the book to promote a discussion of the situation in Palestine. Since he did take part in the peace talks during his presidency, he is most likely privy to information that wasn't out there in the MSM. Since I haven't read his book, or even an excerpt..I will not judge it unlike some who just parrot what they read in the media about its contents.
posted by steveeswenson on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:43 AM
A problem I see is both sides seem to have lost their sense of humor.
Conservatives such as William F. Buckley and Rush Limbaugh frequently use humor in their derision of the whacko liberals.
I don't think liberals generally are as funny.
But on these blogs, there seems to be more anger than disagreement.
Having said that, having the courage of convictions will go a long way to making effective arguments, whether or not they are accepted.
Don't let silence win.
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Mattloch-"I think people avoid posting in here because they are unable to handle the intellectual or emotional requirements that one must posses when talking about the issues we cover in here, in an honest and mature manner."- I think that is the crux of the matter for those that can only attack other commenter's.
posted by TomW on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Steve, if we started using the type of "humor" Limbaugh uses, we'd probably violate the terms of service.  :)
posted by mattloch on Jan 26, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I haven't read his book, but know what it is about. Having done extensive research into what his book is about (my college degree focused on International Relations, and my senior class was specifically focused on Israel and a "final" agreement), I can say that the Israelis have done many things similar to South Africa's apartheid government, from creating "bantustans" to collective punishment to segregation of Palestinians from the larger Israeli society and the creation of a "second" class (arabic, non-Jewish) citizens, and of "third" class (Palestinian) citizens. The people quitting his organization (and I've read their letter, and listened to many interviews they've given) seem to take offense that he puts any blame or focus on Israel's actions, or that Israel may bare some responsibility for the violent actions by Palestinian extremists (or the radicalization of Palestinian society). Far from being angry (or disappointed) about his "attacking" Israel, they are angry that he would characterize any of Israel's actions as unnecessary or counter-productive. I know that this has strayed far afield from the original purpose of this blog, but I just wanted to toss in my $.02....
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:02 AM

Mattloch

The reason that Ron deleted you is because he said he was going to in his post. He said he didn't want to hear from you or dusty or pp2 or any lib. Ron was asking for input from conservatives and that pretty much leaves you out.

He was deleted for calling all of you libs descendants of Jimmy Carter. Somebody took offense. Without a cuss word in the post.

 

posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Mattloch..you really should do a post on that. It would be a great read I would think.

It would be nice to read an extensive blog post from you sir. :)
posted by mattloch on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Anon, he said that in the post that was deleted. I just wanted to see if he was going to act hypocritically with his complaint. And he did. Do you contend that his original blog wasn't libelous? Do you have any proof that the Californian has censored "conservative" posts while allowing similar "liberal" posts to remain? I don't think it was the statement about Carter that caused it to be deleted, myself. There were other things said in that blog that were factually incorrect, and violated the terms of use. I don't think anything he said could even be construed as humorous, sarcastic, or otherwise justified. I don't think what he said was all that bad. I found it funny in a "grade school playground" -kinda way; totally separate from it's (intended) humor.
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Its sad when an adult acts like a 3 year old having a temper tantrum, lashing out at anyone because he doesn't get his way. The only part I found humorous was the last part about removing Jason's friend tag..I lmao over that one..but it was still sad as well, coming from an adult. If you recall, BLT and I had a go around last week and it was civil and we actually did joke around to break up the tension.
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:24 AM

"Do you contend that his original blog wasn't libelous? Do you have any proof that the Californian has censored "conservative" posts while allowing similar "liberal" posts to remain?"

It wasn't my point to make with The Californian, it was Ron's.

"I don't think anything he said could even be construed as humorous, sarcastic, or otherwise justified. I don't think what he said was all that bad. I found it funny in a "grade school playground" -kinda way; totally separate from it's (intended) humor."

His attempt at humor wasn't that bad. It made me smile. It sounds like you're not sure if you thought it was funny or not tho.

posted by tonyh on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:30 AM

I don't post on here much anymore, because it's a waste of time.

There are people arguing about subjects who aren't qualified to even have an opinion.

-People with NO management experience or skills whining about how big corporations are managed

-People who have NEVER been in the Military whining about how the Military is run

-People lambastering and blasting public figures. Being critical of effort or outcome doesn't require that level of squaller to be blasted onto an individual.

-People going Over the Top aggressive on anyone who just might have a differing viewpoint (no listening, no pondering, straight to "Over the Top".

I've read and posted here long enough to figure out what most of the regulars are all about. Nothing changes, so it's become a waste of time...............................

 

posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:35 AM

"Its sad when an adult acts like a 3 year old having a temper tantrum, lashing out at anyone because he doesn't get his way."

What is sad is that you did not speak up at all when a poster told Nancy "At least I don't have to sit around playing with myself, old lady".

posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Ron threw a temper tantrum for reasons unexplained. His diatribe was inaccurate and total bs aimed at people he doesn't agree with. He had nothing of interest to say, so he attacked people here. What part of the "violation of the terms of use" is vague? It says personal attacks aren't to be tolerated. That is all his post was anon.

BLT and I seldom agree. We explain our positions and we attempt to be civil about it. We even laugh on occasion. Why can't the "conservatives" practice that, if Doc can? Is it easier to personally attack people on the blogs than making a case for your personal views?

Apparently yes it is..so the answer to me is that personal attackers are lazy or they aren't able to verbalize their views on the topic and support them.
posted by TomW on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:39 AM
I see some of that, Tony.  I also see some people trying to reach out from both sides.  You can concentrate on the good or the bad.  The point here may not be to change people's minds as much as it is to disagree and lay out our arguments for doing so.  Ever see what happens to a non-controversial post here?  It fades away.  I'm not here expecting people to agree with me.  I'm here a lot of the time to talk about why we disagree and where we disagree.  There's a lot of value in that.  There are plenty of places I could go to get agreement on everything.  I've learned a lot from people on both sides of the aisle here.
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Anon..I have no idea what your talking about..yet you seem to be able to hold me accountable for something someone else has said. That's a ridiculous assumption on your part.
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:41 AM
You do not have to have a PHd to have an opinion Tony. And you assume many things in your comment above. You know what they say about assuming. If you don't, thats too bad.
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:48 AM

I don't hold you accountable for what someone else said.  An admonishment for civility tho was sadly lacking from all liberals that day. It is to bad that you don't remember the conversation as you were in on it.

posted by TomW on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Anon, I generally make a practice of not jumping into the middle of other people's fights.  I'm not comfortable with that and frankly, Nancy can whup the tar out of anyone she chooses to.  The problem with drawing a parallel here is that you're trying to say that if Dusty stands up when she is attacked, she should also stand up when any other poster is attacked.  I've stayed mostly out of this thing with Ron other than to say that I harbor no ill will towards him despite his tendancy to turn to personal attacks on me specifically and liberals in general.  It's just part of who he is and by biting back, I'd only reinforce the stereotype he has.
posted by dusty1215 on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:53 AM
O Please anon..we are supposed to come to everyone's aid? Tom has a good perspective on that line of thinking. You have the audacity to demand liberals aid and comfort conservatives, but not the other way around? Double standard comes to mind...
posted by blognroll on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM

The folks who run this blog community get to decide what belongs here and what does not.  They may have their biases, but they are the gate keepers.  Those who run public parks want to maintain the parks and don't want those parks covered with trash. 

I believe a blog community is like a park.  People should feel welcome and they should feel safe.  If they feel threatened, then they will not really feel like coming back.  Personally, if I say something that somebody takes offense to, whether an examination of the content reveals that I crossed the line or not, I will delete my own comments and apologize to the person I've offended.  Free speech is not a license to verbally abuse, attack or threaten others.  I'm not saying that Ron's intent was to do any of these things, but I think that if a person feels offended, it is better for the person who made the comment to apologize and get rid of the comment that was experienced as offensive by the individual or party raising the objection. 

posted by TomW on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Heck, anon, I've seen conservatives here side with Mocus.  Some of his posts could make a sailor's eyes bleed.  And frankly, I don't think I've ever seen any of the liberals call him on his lack of civility.  Even the posters talking about Ron have said repeatedly that a) the post could have stayed up and b) that while he was attacking them personally, they have simply tried to explain to him why the post was pulled.
posted by mattloch on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:59 AM
And Tony, I've always thought that you've done a decent job pointing out those things, and where people have made errors. I've tried to acknowledge that in some of our discussions, where expertise is vital and necessary. But to people have to have military experience to talk about the military? Do people have to run their own business to talk about business practices? Do people have to be raped to validate their opinions on sentencing guidelines of rapists? Do people have to hold elected office to have a valid opinion about how the government should behave? I'm not sure you have realistic expectations about things if you do.....
posted by antiextremism on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:59 AM

Steve, you don't think liberals are generally as funny??????????

You mean, you think  William Buckley and Rush Limbaugh are funnier than Jon Stewart, Al Franken, Bill Maher , Lewis Black and Steven Colbert?

Man, do you find traffic reports hilarious too? ; )

 

 

posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2007 at 12:06 PM

No, dusty, I don't think you shoud defend any conservative, we would have no way to call the paramedics for your ensuing heart failure.(sad attempt at humor)

I don't read my post as a demand just an observation.

 

 

posted by tonyh on Jan 26, 2007 at 12:45 PM

mattloch,

Man, here you go again.

"But to people have to have military experience to talk about the military?" - No, not to talk about the Military. To criticize the way it runs, Yes, a little first-hand experience would go a long way towards constructing a credible opinion.

"Do people have to run their own business to talk about business practices?" - No, not to talk about business practices. To criticize, demoralize and demand Government intervention, YES, again, a little first-hand experience would go a long way towards constructing a credible opinion. The free market takes care of business gone nuts.

"Do people have to be raped to validate their opinions on sentencing guidelines of rapists?" This one wasn't on my list..........Scope Creep............Scope Creep.

"Do people have to hold elected office to have a valid opinion about how the government should behave?" - No, again, you've taken what I said out of context. This is very annoying.......You do it all the time.....................What I said was "-People lambastering and blasting public figures. Being critical of effort or outcome doesn't require that level of squaller to be blasted onto an individual." Being critical of the effort or the outcome.....OK. Being personally critical of the person exerting the effort or responsible for the outcome.......NOT OK. If you can do better, then go and do it. Don't sit back and attack the person who's actually there trying to do it.

My expectations are plenty realistic.

 

posted by antiextremism on Jan 26, 2007 at 01:59 PM

Being critical of government actions is the DUTY of ALL citizens when they feel that ANY individual who controls their lives is not doing a good job.

The effect an administrative leader has is on EVERY American citizen regardless of their education or personal life experience, whether that leader be conservative or liberal.

If a leader cannot take criticism in any form (read Dick Cheney), then he is not a leader.

posted by mattloch on Jan 26, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Tony, you and I have butted heads plenty of times before, and you've continually dismissed people's opinions out of hand because they don't have the experience that you believe is necessary to form valid opinions. Which is certainly your right to do so. But to do so without addressing the issues being discussed, or showing how that completely invalidates their opinion is, well, intellectually dishonest, and does nothing to contribute to the discussion. As for my examples/questions, you never said "credible opinion" in your post; you're the one who said we were "subjects who aren't qualified to even have an opinion" (emphasis mine). (Go ahead, tell me I'm putting words in your mouth, or making assumptions about what you were trying to say.) Jesus man, you're acting like we're a bunch of cave dwellers who are trying to tell Oppenheimer how to build a bomb! We're not talking rocket science or superconducting supercoliders in here; we're talking about public policy, public officials, and social issues. As much as you accuse others of being opinionated and acting superior, you sure seem to have that, in spades. Go ahead and accuse me of taking things too far, of putting words in your mouth, of being unrealistic, of being inflexible. It's your right, and certainly your M.O. As for attacking people who are "actually there trying to do it", some of us are actually trying to talk about issues in here, as opposed to sitting there and lobbing the occasional grenade into the pool. If you can do better, then go and do it. Don't sit back and say that nobody else is qualified to talk about issues, and not contribute anything to the discussion. My expectations are reasonable.
posted by adampayne on Jan 26, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Hey Irv, I only said  liberals had been bashed for more than twenty years by a very hostile segment of the right wing media. It has nothing to do with government.

Tonyh, I can agree that sometimes a lot of the rhetoric obscures rather than illuminates the point. That being said, I've found a lot of people on these blogs offer a pretty wide spectrum of viewpoints on various issues. The great thing about the blog posts is that no radio throat can interrupt and humiliate you for voicing your opinion. There are no cameras to show my left leaning humpback and detract from my point. It is a level and fair playing field on these blogs. If you are bored with one topic or subject the news generally brings variety  to these discussions.  Although from your bucolic vantage point in Tennessee I'm sure many local subjects must seem tiresome to continually peruse.

I still think conservative is a contradiction today, and their Party showcases the schizphrenia everyday.
posted by nooneisabovethelaw on Jan 26, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Where are all the conservatives? They're watching Fox and listening to the radio. Heaven forbid anybody confront them with truth.
posted by tonyh on Jan 26, 2007 at 07:55 PM
I was originally drawn to these blogs to read about the local topics and issues because I care a lot about my home. I want to stay on top of things because I’ll be moving back in a couple of years (3 or 4), when I retire. I currently spend several weeks a year (and have for many years) in Kern County. It’s my home and I actually like it, fog, dirty air and all.     Since when are National Politics a local subject? I’ve grown tired of the same old dead horses being beaten.   War, Bad... Military, -Bad... Republicans, -Bad... President, Vice-President, -Bad – Bad (they’re Republicans).... Corporate America, -Bad... Anything that cost more than you can afford, -Bad.... Anybody that is more successful in life than you, -Bad.... Religion, -Bad.... Values, Morals, -Bad....   Hey, I think that Jimmy Carter is a great thinker and a fine soul. I don’t see eye-to-eye with a lot of his views, but as a person, I admire him a lot. He’s a great man. By the standards on these blogs, I should be calling him names and dumping on him because we disagree on a lot of things. I don’t personally believe in Abortion, but I have no use for those who protest and commit violence in the name of the rights of the unborn. People who use those tactics are reprehensible.     Also, the majority of the people on these blogs aren’t representative of the majority in Kern County. They don’t have the same values, views or beliefs. The majority of this group is a very small, miniscule, malcontent splinter. My sense is that most of the normal folks are busy doing other things that they deem more important. Doing, changes things, Talking, does not.     I don’t like activists of any kind, whether they’re losing their manners over Abortion Clinics or protesting the War, etc… They make noise pollution and annoy the crap out of non-participants. If you want to effect change, vote and be mindful of where you spend your money. All things unpopular dry up from lack of funds. If it doesn’t work out for you, maybe you’re being outvoted. Get over it. I don’t like Professional Sports of any kind. They get NONE of my money, but I’m being outvoted by the general public on this one. That’s life. So what……………&hell ip;…..    
posted by TomW on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:11 PM

Tony, not to be disrespectful, but you seem a lot less interested in participating in political discussion since the popular view has stopped corresponding to your view.  You try to belittle the beliefs of a small group of dedicated people and that's fine.  But in a few years when you do move back to Bako, don't be surprised when the town agrees more with the group that kept pushing, kept putting in the time and making the arguments and putting together the facts.

What you'll also notice is that Sam has banned intellegent disagreement on his blog.  You could go over there for a peaceful time, though that's the only place on these blogs where you are guarenteed to get  "War, Bad... Military, -Bad... Republicans, -Bad... President, Vice-President, -Bad – Bad (they’re Republicans).... Corporate America, -Bad... Anything that cost more than you can afford, -Bad.... Anybody that is more successful in life than you, -Bad.... Religion, -Bad.... Values, Morals, -Bad....".

You can also start your own blog here and post whatever you want.  Of course, if you read the liberals' posts with the same eye you apply to Sam's stuff, you'd find you agree with us more than we disagree.

posted by tonyh on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:19 PM

Tom,

It's the approach that turns me off more than anything else..........Several here attack to person, not the idea, effort or result. That's the dead horse that continues to be beat..........I tried to make that point with the "Jimmy Carter thing" and "Abortion Thing"................Maybe I failed.

posted by tonyh on Jan 26, 2007 at 11:41 PM

I understand where Sam is coming from. I don't see intelligent disagreement here. I see opinions based on what has previously been said or written by some self-professed expert with no more experience than Rush Limbaugh. I don't listen to him either. He's a NUT!  We both know what the average opinion is like. Everyone has one, and they all stink.

This whole "find it on the internet to back up my opinion" thing is stupid. It doesn't mean a thing to me. If you look hard enough, you'll find something to substantiate the idea that the Earth is flat.

Kern County won't end up being like this blog. Nowhere except the San Francisco area is. The rest of America falls somewhere Right .

I do a lot of traveling around the country and interacting with people in my job, so I get a pretty good idea of what people around America think. Trust me, most of the people on this blog here are WAY out there. My thoughts are closer to normal. I may even fall a little to the left of normal. I just got off of the road for a week. I was on both coasts and throughout the midwest. This recent trip gave me something to gauge things by. From my most recent experience, as Ron says, this "Rat Pack" is WAY OUT THERE.

posted by antiextremism on Jan 29, 2007 at 11:23 AM

The present admin has been hammered pretty good, just like Clinton was Tony. Comes with the turf, but this admin has sure given it's critics plenty to hammer them with.

But I don't think I've seen even the most liberal blogger say they hated the military. Heck, even the military doesn't agree with Bush' tactics.

I agree with you about internet links Tony. But a savvy person can usually figure out the hype from what is real. In other words, if a study about tobacco is funded by R.J Reynolds, or a study on the demise of the whale is funded by Greenpeace, you have to consider the source.

Unfortunately, our media has gone from reporting the news, to full time editorializing. I admire you for thinking on your own and not blindly following a particular label. If everyone did that that, we'd have a much more honest debate in the congress, on the blogs, and on the street.

posted by TomW on Jan 29, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Tony, I see what you're saying about the tone.  Sometimes I cringe reading the tone on both sides.  That said, I think that most of us fight over means rather than goals and we get caught up in the language over the substance.  What's funny is that the far left isn't even represented here, the people who want to nationalize the oil companies for instance.  If you ever see a Pelosi speech in San Francisco, you'll see people protesting how conservative she is.  One of the things that's hard for me being in the Bay Area is that I'd been a liberal all my life until I got here.  :)  I'm fairly conservative compared to the Bay Area's public image.  When I was working in property management, we had a guy come in to rent a place who was wearing a shirt that said "Rent is theft."

I think when someone esposes a certain view, we tend to believe they subscribe to all of the other beliefs we associate with that view when in reality all of us are all over the map depending on the issue.

As for the linking thing, I see your point about being to back up anything.  On the other hand, if someone says something and I can link to a news story that says the opposite, I often throw it in just because at some point, there is a reality where things happens and we can't make arguments without reference to it.  Or we can, but they don't really hold water.
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