Nice rip on Christians.......OK, as you were saying? 

You sound like the drunken bully who left that message on Lois Henry's answering machine.  YOU get a grip, jerk.  Your little mind is too damned small to even see the point of the blog.

Rosemary I think YOU missed the point of Drils post.

drilnliftcrude...kind of confused as to where the reference is to Christians in her post..did I miss something?

Extremely well thought out post Rosey..seems its exemplary of what the poster is here to discuss...

Wrong-O.  Only people as politically polarized as you three are could see anything resembling the blogger's point in my criticism of one particular individual.

 "YOU get a grip, jerk.  Your little mind is too damned small to even see the point of the blog.

Ohhhhh.  It's like irony or something.  I get it now.  Thank you.

You're welcome.  Ask me any time you need more assistance. 

I've been thinking about this, too, Possum.  I think, with the recent news being so negative and poll numbers reflecting that more people than ever consider themselves depressed, people are lashing out more (and probably drinking more and gambling more and doing all the other coping mechanisms.)  I don't know, though.  From my perspective, people have ALWAYS been this cranky.

The picture of the platypus is a joke and, if you had done any research before ripping it to shreads, you'd see that it came from a CHRISTIAN comedy site.  It's in the same style as the LolCatsBible (which was started by a Christian kids, btw). THIS is exactly what I'm talking about.  You so desperately want to be right that you see EVERYTHING as a slight. 

Ah clever comeback.  Not much for polite discourse but...typical.

Funny!  You write a blog post about cranky people and HERE THEY COME!

My response wa to Rosemary.  I've never seen Possummomma be rude on here.  A feat most of us only think about..LOL.

Funny!  You write a blog post about cranky people and HERE THEY COME!

How about it, huh?  This is precisely what I'm talking about.  Instead of responding to the issue with thoughtful reflection, the guy IMMEDIATELY goes looking for something to be ugly about.  Rather than acknowledge the fact that I admitted my own fault in the post, the commenter strikes hard and fast. 

Catherine: I've been thinking about this, too, Possum.  I think, with the recent news being so negative and poll numbers reflecting that more people than ever consider themselves depressed, people are lashing out more (and probably drinking more and gambling more and doing all the other coping mechanisms.)  I don't know, though.  From my perspective, people have ALWAYS been this cranky. 

Maybe that's the case.  It's sad.  The weird thing is that I have found myself thinking really unfair things, too.  I won't post them here because it's a public blog, but...more than that, after I type them out, the statements don't look like they're going to help solve any of the problems we face.  So, delete, delete, delete,...  I don't even post them.

Nancy: I've never seen Possummomma be rude on here.  A feat most of us only think about..LOL.

I think we've all had our moments.  I don't think any adults who have a say on politics or religion get by without ever making a rude comment or hurting someone's feelings on occasion.  I just wish we were better than that for the sake of the next generation.  I worry about how polarized this country will be when my children get older.

Rosemary: Thanks for trying.  I was taken aback because I've seen Christians make jokes about the platypus. 

P-momma, another thing that makes it tough is that while there is some "all you blahblahblahs are the same" there is also some using a class or group moniker to make a point without intending to include everyone in that subset.  I'm quite guilty of using the term "Republican" when I mean "majority of Republican elected officials".

Sometimes too I just like to swipe back at folks.  It's a bad habit that I'll try to work on, but, as Bart Simpson once said, "I can't promise I'll try, but I'll try to try."

I love that you quoted Bart Simpson, Tom.  As Mr. Burns would say, "Excellent."

PM, I  think you have to take human nature into consideration.  I'm just guessing here but when people get in a crowded room they tend to tense up.  In our electronic world we are constantly bombarded with information, media of all kinds, fast paced living and pressure from all sides.  It's no wonder we snap at each other.

I got a book for my birthday yestereday from my son.  It's about the Ridge Route and how it came to be.  In it the author told of the stage lines and how they had to change horses every twelve miles.  I started thinking about how long it took for them to make that 12 miles along a bumpy dusty but uncrowded road,  and compared it to the 12 mile drive I have when I go across town to my grandson's house in the foothills.  12 miles of traffic, red lights, bad drivers, and stress.

The pace at which we live isn't getting any slower nor is the stress getting any less.  I don't look for us to get better as a people as long as we are still rushing headlong in our frenzy to own more, have more, do more, work more.

 TOM: P-momma, another thing that makes it tough is that while there is some "all you blahblahblahs are the same" there is also some using a class or group moniker to make a point without intending to include everyone in that subset.  I'm quite guilty of using the term "Republican" when I mean "majority of Republican elected officials".

I think we're all guilty of it, occasionally.  My perception is that it's becoming a problem that I'm not sure we'll be able to overcome.  I'm very aware, lately, of what I'm saying.  My three year old popped off with a statement last week that left me feeling very ashamed of the example I'd set for him.  There's nothing to bring you back into focus like having a three year old label someone a "stubborn jerk" because they've heard you say it.  For me, that was worse than when my eldest (now 13) copied my husband when he used a swear word in her presense and she parroted it back to him. 

Sometimes too I just like to swipe back at folks.  It's a bad habit that I'll try to work on, but, as Bart Simpson once said, "I can't promise I'll try, but I'll try to try."

That's about all anyone can ask of themself and others.

"the commenter strikes hard and fast." 

If that's about me, it's a little exagerating isn't it?  A little inflammatory too, perhaps?

For someone who's blog post's are weighted heavily to criticizing people of faith, portraying Christians in a negative light, I think it is pretty easy to see your platypus picture and caption as less than any attempt at flattery towards them.  And many of them are hurt by it.  So maybe if you are going to blog about uniting instead of dividing, you may do well to consider others feelings.  Thanking Rosemary after he/she engaged in insulting name calling does nothing but incite further behavior like that.

 PM, I  think you have to take human nature into consideration.  I'm just guessing here but when people get in a crowded room they tend to tense up.  In our electronic world we are constantly bombarded with information, media of all kinds, fast paced living and pressure from all sides.  It's no wonder we snap at each other.

Good point, Nancy.   I think your observation is valid.  This world is blowing by us.  It is staggering when I think about how different my education was from my childrens.  And, I'm sure that, with all due respect, your education was different than mine (you being older).   Every generation is getting progresively smarter about facts and figures and data...but, they're also getting less savvy about how to relate to one another.  And, when we, as parents and grandparents, tit and tat each other based on irrelevant things or spite, we're not helping them.  When we over-generalize, we teach them to do the same.

Cat, the "try to try" line was an all-time favorite of mine along with the Rev. Lovejoy (talking about the Bible) "You ever sat down and read this thing? Technically we’re not supposed to go to the bathroom" and Homer's "To alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems"

Ouch, pmomma.  You're right.  That'll set you straight fast. 

TomW--We're a family of Simpsons quoters.  My husband says "D'oh!" I say Marge's "Hhrrrmm" and my sons says Nelson's "Haha!"

"No....Try not...Do or not do, there is no try."".

If that's about me, it's a little exagerating isn't it?  A little inflammatory too, perhaps?

Were you not the first person to comment nine minutes after the post was made? 

For someone who's blog post's are weighted heavily to criticizing people of faith, portraying Christians in a negative light, I think it is pretty easy to see your platypus picture and caption as less than any attempt at flattery towards them. 

If that's what I had been doing then you would be correct.  But, once again, you're over-generalizing.  Since March, I have made ten posts.   Here are the titles of each:

The Watchmaker Argument - where I discuss what that is and how it fails on several levels.  It's not portraying Christians in a negative light.

RIP XLNT1 - Letting fellow bloggers know that another blogger has died.  No portrayal of Christians in a negative light.

How Low Can You Go? - Asking why the California allows certain posters to continuously engage in behavior that's bordering on slander and libel.   Not portraying Christians in a negative light.

Congratulations to Lakeside - a post about a local school doing well at a music competition.  Not portraying Christians in a negative light.

Expelled - a counter article to some of the claims made in the movie.  No portrayal as Christians in a negative light.

Treasured Moments in Parenting - ....again, negative light? No!

Graduation memories - ??

Is It Appropriate (Graduation Rowdiness)

Evangelism and Proselytizing - you'll note that I said nothing rude or negative about Christians.  Merely asked what everyone thought was acceptable.

Common Ground - today's post.  The only one who brings up religion is you, sir.

And many of them are hurt by it.  So maybe if you are going to blog about uniting instead of dividing, you may do well to consider others feelings.  Thanking Rosemary after he/she engaged in insulting name calling does nothing but incite further behavior like that.

If you are hurt by the universal ambiguity of the platypus and a photoshop from a Christian comedy website, then perhaps you should take your complaint to them.  I've not made a post in the last ten posts (and further back than that) that is divisive (unless reviewing the lies in a movie is divisive?).  I choose my words carefully. 

Nancy--that sounds like one of Homer's lines.  Or is it Reverend Lovejoy?  "Okelydokely neighbor!"

Ned Flanders is Mr. Okelydokely. ;)

A little Simpsons common ground.  :) 

Nancy,  don't you go Dagobah on me.  I feel bad enough I hijacked this thread with the Simpsons.  If we start on Sci-Fi, we'll need to get another thread.

Catherine.  It's a great philosopher.

Yoda.

Ahh.  I see I'm among my own kind.  Simpsons lovers.

Sorry for hijacking your blog, Possum.  Maybe someone should do a Simpsons blog.  Let's ferret out all the Homers out there.  : )

Nice retort. Didn't address encouraging Rosemary's name calling, but it doesn't matter. The point of my comments were to say practice what you preach, but I obviously failed in making that point.

LOL Nancy!  I can see it now.  Yoda drives me crazy!  He says everything backwards.  You'd think for being 800 years old or whatever he'd know how to talk by now.  No offense if you're a Star Wars fan.  My husband is also, and I think I've seen every movie at least 10 times.

You're right, Tom.  Looks like we found some "Common Ground" after all!  : )

Rosey, Next time try using alittle thing_ we down on the farm call punctuation in your posts. Little things such as comas, quotation marks etc.. Sure helps to get your point across alot easier, and cuts back on the insults from both sides.

Nice retort.

What retort?  You asked some questions and made some accusations which I answered. 

Didn't address encouraging Rosemary's name calling, but it doesn't matter.

 Apparently, it means a great deal to you.  So, allow me to address it.  For starters, I know you're going to call me a liar or something, but I actually wasn't all that happy Rosemary responded like that.  But, given your immediate, knee-jerk response about a cartoon maintained on a Christian website (and one that has circulated the internet for YEARS without the hurt you speak of), I can understand where he was coming from.  I thanked Rosemary because I responded to everyone elses comment and felt it would be rude not to say something to Rosemary.  Furthermore, though the statement wasn't in the spirit I hoped for, Rosemary was trying to defend my picture and I'm not going to publicly shun him for that. 

The point of my comments were to say practice what you preach, but I obviously failed in making that point.

I do practice what I preach.  You even went so far as to suggest that I was a hypocrite for my blog postings - yet, when I laid out the last ten postings, you ignore the fact that it's clear that I don't use this blog as a platform to spread hate.  I try to choose subjects that foster discussion and tolerance and understanding.  So, you didn't fail to make the point,...you just didn't research your accusation.  Had you found a recent entry on the Californian where I'd been hateful towards ANY subgroup, then I would graciously acknowledge my faults.  As you can see by my words in this thread, I even reveal that my thoughts aren't always perfect and I'm working on practicing what I have said in this entry.   You ignore that fact because it doesn't suit your preconceived notion of who I am.  I can't do anything about that.   All I can say is that, as Nancy said, I'm not known for being rude and going back sixty comments (left by me), I find no incident where I was rude or overly harsh.  You took this post and did exactly what I was shining a spotlight on in the post: people who group others together or assume they know someone when they don't.

I can name a handful of people who I don't always see eye-to-eye with on this website.  There are times when I can't get behind Blognroll.  But, rather than sit around and feel negativity towards him, I have learned to accept what he has to give.  Nancy and I don't always see eye-to-eye either (and have had some messages fly back and forth off the public blog entries).  But, I think Nancy is an amazing woman and find her to be someone I would love to have tea with. Sioux-City and I are miles apart ecumenically, I think, but I've noticed that we're both very practical people.  I would have lunch with any of these people I don't always agree with.   Why? Because I realize that there's more to them than what we see here and I think we could bond over our common desire to find beauty and love.  Tony and I don't get along politically, but he's been active in Boy Scouts and I have a son in Scouts.  I don't really care for Buffoo/Wayfarer, but...at the same time, I'm in awe of the level of devotion he has for his religion.  While Pup and I are disagreeing on methodology, I can't find it in myself to make a character judgment about her because she's just doing what she thinks is right.  Cameron and Patty are Christians, but I supported them without question during the period following Cam's accident by calling Patty and listening to her and then planning for them to come join us for dinner.  I guess my point is that, while I disagree with some of these people, I still want to be their friend.  Why? Because every human on this earth has something to give.  If you're so jaded that you can't accept their gift, then I pity you.  

I am not perfect.  I can be wrong.  I can get passionate about the sciences, so much so that it comes off to some as pompous.  I am working on that.  I accept the criticisms and try to make myself a better person.  So, I guess what I'm saying is,...you can choose to be critical about a picture on someones blog or you can listen to the message and find that common ground that makes us a community.  The choice is yours.

 Sorry for hijacking your blog, Possum.  Maybe someone should do a Simpsons blog.  Let's ferret out all the Homers out there.  : )

No problem!  I said we needed to focus on common ground and, as far as I'm concerned, this totally qualifies. *wink*

My favorite Homer quotes:

"I'm going to the back seat of my car, with the woman I love, and I won't be back for ten minutes!" - Homer Simpson

"But Marge, what if we chose the wrong religion? Each week we just make God madder and madder. " - Homer Simpson

 Nancy,  don't you go Dagobah on me.  I feel bad enough I hijacked this thread with the Simpsons.  If we start on Sci-Fi, we'll need to get another thread.

You had me with the Simpsons.  Common ground was established.  But, now I can't play with you any more because you like Sci-Fi. ;)  But, you'd get along great with my husband.

According to the "Californian" in 1858 on this date Abraham Lincoln (referring to the slavery issue) said "A house divided against itself cannot stand".  I thought at first that back then they didn't have blogs and were more civil to one another.  But then I remembered that back then they had assaults take place in congress as well as duels.  So I think we have always been cranky it is just so much easier now to be even more rude when you hide behind made up names.

Good observations Possom and well stated.

I t would be interesting if someone started a blog on a sensitive subject as a contest.  The first person to deviate from the subject or demean, belittle or call someone else a name would be the loser.

It would be a little blogging exercise for all of us.

As a regular practicing Christian, I want to stand up for the Y haz thou fersaken me photo of the p duck -- makes me laugh every time I see it.

Humor is common ground.

Good post, I dont think your the only one by a long shot, I still am holding out though, After the Nominations are wraped up at the conventions, I think you will see the campiagns get some actual debate in and although I don't think the Parties wll stop making the attacks, i think a good dialogue will develope if both candidates agree to let it happen.

PM, It wasn't me who had you with the Simpsons.  I'm one of those totally unAmerican outcasts who doesn't watch them.     I know, I know  must be something wrong with me.  :-)

When clients used to ask why they needed to set a goal they needed to meet rather than put down that they would "try" I reminded them that if try was their goal, they would meet it every time.  Then I would quote Yoda.

As for common ground (to keep it on topic), most of us here on the blog have managed to find some common ground and if we can, so can every one else.  They just have to want it AND admit it.

Most reliable form of common ground?  Food!

Sound like we need to start the food blogs all over again.  What's your best barbecue recipe?  Easiest dessert recipe?  What is your favorite drink when it's 100 degrees outside?  What was your favorite dinner that your Mom cooked when you were a little kid?

Let's heal the breach over food!

Cathy..Now ur talkin...Paula Dean and the crew on the food network have helped fix many a meal around here..have ya ever tried her better than Pumpkin Pie receipe.. When you take it  to a gathering some one is always whispering and pointing a fork in your direction..GoodStuff

Her philosophy is "if it doesn't require butter it can't be very good."  I concur.

Oh, Sioux.  I saw Paula Dean make pecan prailines one time that I would've gone into hock for.  Mmmm.

Id have lunch with you too PMomma..as long as we didn't talk about politics or religion..how bout the plight of our local canines heheheh

Really good post P. I like to note that the majority of responses are positive...and frankly if i were a platypus I'd feel forsaken myself. There is almost always something one can find in common with another.