Just wanted to introduce myself....

I see that I may be in the minority on this forum regarding political views. Before I begin to reply to some of these threads I just want to say that I hope we can keep this non-personal. I don't want the founder of the forum and others to think it was a mistake letting me join. lol

gringaloca wrote:

I see that I may be in the minority on this forum regarding political views. Before I begin to reply to some of these threads I just want to say that I hope we can keep this non-personal. I don't want the founder of the forum and others to think it was a mistake letting me join. lol

I love having as many different opinions on this board as possible. It would be a boring place if we all agreed on everything.

Welcome to the site, I'm glad you joined. Now, lets dance!

Welcome to the site, gringaloca!
The more people with different views, the better this site will be! I look forward to debating with you!

Gringaloca, I think that you will fit in just fine. You are both intelligent and well-read, so you will present your opinions and discuss the issues with an open mind.

You do bring up a great point. Politics can get heated and bring about great debates. However, we want to make sure that we all debate the issues and not make personal attacks. I know it's taken me a while to be able not look at a challenge to my opinion as a personal challenge...I guess age does that to you!

One last thing for us all to consider. Let's make sure that when we post threads where we refer to news articles that we include a link to that article. I think we can all agree that sometimes our own opinion makes us look at info one way and that someone else, reading the entirety of the article, may pick up on things that we missed or see things in a different light.

Let me buy a round for all of you early political posters!

Annie Oakley wrote:

However, we want to make sure that we all debate the issues and not make personal attacks.

Let's make sure that when we post threads where we refer to news articles that we include a link to that article. I think we can all agree that sometimes our own opinion makes us look at info one way and that someone else, reading the entirety of the article, may pick up on things that we missed or see things in a different light.

Some very good points Annie. As for posting articles and such, what you want to do is just post a short "clip" and then add a link to the rest of the article. Not only does this add to the depth of understanding, as Annie mentioned, it also prevents you from violating anyone's copyright by posting an entire article here. This is a very important legal consideration and something we have to (by necessity) strongly enforce.

As for the debates, we want everyone to enjoy themselves. Sometimes, doing so in a debate forum can mean getting a little "worked up." That's okay, but you need to aim your barbs at your opponent's opinions and ideas -- not at the person themselves or any other person. Let's keep the debates burnin'...but the tempers chilled like a cold case of Yuengling.

gringaloca wrote:

I see that I may be in the minority on this forum regarding political views. Before I begin to reply to some of these threads I just want to say that I hope we can keep this non-personal. I don't want the founder of the forum and others to think it was a mistake letting me join. lol

I am very new here as well and I feel sure that some will disagree on some of my views on things. That is fine with me, I respect that and have no problem with it at all. After all, imo that is what a message board is all about........differing opinions. As long as things are kept respectful to one another then I am fine with it.

BTW, should anyone believe in all of this gun control junk then don't even talk to me! (Just kidding don't shoot! )

gringaloca wrote:

I see that I may be in the minority on this forum regarding political views. Before I begin to reply to some of these threads I just want to say that I hope we can keep this non-personal. I don't want the founder of the forum and others to think it was a mistake letting me join. lol

If you fall on one side or the other you will be more welcome than me. I am indifferent to political sides and I am more than happy to offend people who need offending be it Bible-beating right-wingers or brotherhood of man preaching idealistic lefties.

Tom Gladius wrote:

gringaloca wrote:

I see that I may be in the minority on this forum regarding political views. Before I begin to reply to some of these threads I just want to say that I hope we can keep this non-personal. I don't want the founder of the forum and others to think it was a mistake letting me join. lol

If you fall on one side or the other you will be more welcome than me. I am indifferent to political sides and I am more than happy to offend people who need offending be it Bible-beating right-wingers or brotherhood of man preaching idealistic lefties.

Welcome Tom! Sounds like you're going to be a fun poster to have around.