Hi Todd, You're preaching to the choir. I get your point, but I find it hard to respect another's political beliefs, social beliefs, or point of view when they mock and disrespect what I believe.
Here's the bottom line for me - I was always taught not to discuss politics or religion in polite company. While that might seem quaint, there's a lot of wisdom in it. With so much of our political dialogue so polarized it is even more true now than it was in 19th century drawing rooms, Even certain words or phrases can set one side or another on edge. Much as I would like it to be different, we live in an environment in which people lack respect for the views of others, are apparently unaware of or don't care about how others take their words, and are quick to demonize politicians and individuals with whom they disagree. Rather than hope unrealistically for a rational, unemotional debate, I think it is best to avoid the discussion. There are places where the discussion is appropriate, but not here. There's absolutely no need to discuss politics or social policy on this list. It is an unwelcome distraction. Yeah, I know, I can always hit delete without reading on those <OFF TOPIC> posts, but people don't always use them. Plus, I must confess it's kind of like a car wreck. You really don't want to look, but sometimes you can't help staring. The gist of my original comment is this: A person can behave like a lout when expressing his or her politics, but don't be surprised if people remember you as a lout when you're talking EDI. Draw your own conclusions. Mike ----------------------------------------- Michael C. Rawlins, Senior Software Engineer, Inovis (a GXS Company) Sent from personal account On 7/17/2010 1:47 PM, Todd LaBonte wrote: > > Mike, > > There are risks to posting political comments and for that matter to > any form of communication where discussing controversial issues. > > People that know me do understand that I have well define stances on > many subject. Debate and conversations around controversial subjects > are invigorating to me. I am willing to change my mind if the facts > are sufficient. I do believe others have altered their views based > upon my case for a subject. The ancient Greeks and Romans valued > debate and oratory, but that seems lost on modern America and many > other cultures around the world. > > What I find sad, is the disrespect that people have for others with an > opposing point of view. The person with the opposing view must be some > type of: socialist, Hitler, homophobe, racist, stupid, dictator, > statist, communist, or just plain evil person. It seems to be a form > of group behavior: “us” vs. “them”. > > In my very humble opinion, most people have good intensions and are > doing the best they in the manner they know how. This forum really > isn’t the place for political debates. However, through your daily > communications you will meet people that you may disagree with. If you > are going have participate is some level of debate, try to respect > that person’s point of view and understand they may have the same > goals that you have. > > Todd > > * *** > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On > Behalf Of *Mike Rawlins > *Sent:* Saturday, July 17, 2010 1:04 PM > *To:* Hurd, Richard [SLCUS] > *Cc:* [email protected]; [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [EDI-L] <ADMIN> Axway Position in PHX with MFT/B2B > experience > > Per Mr. Hurd's cogent comments, I've learned much more about some of our > contributor's political opinions than I ever wanted to know. I really > don't like seeing your technical posts, remembering this thread, and > thinking what an %&*^$. You are all entitled to your political and > social opinions, but there are consequence to broadcasting them in a > forum that isn't about politics or social philosophy. > > > > -- > ----------------------------------------- > Michael C. Rawlins, Senior Software Engineer, Inovis (a GXS Company) > Sent from personal account > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- ------------------------------------ ... Please use the following Message Identifiers as your subject prefix: <SALES>, <JOBS>, <LIST>, <TECH>, <MISC>, <EVENT>, <OFF-TOPIC> Job postings are welcome, but for job postings or requests for work: <JOBS> IS REQUIRED in the subject line as a prefix.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EDI-L/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
