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Forum Post: Peace out!

Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 29, 2011, 12:57 p.m. EST by Confusedoldguy (260)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

After several weeks of participating in this forum, today will be my last day. I'm glad for the good conversations and for the things that I learned. At it's peak, I think this forum was a good thing. But it has frankly slid downhill as thoughtful posters have bailed, and now it's mostly juvenile name-calling, conspiracy theories and ads for TV shows.

I will say that one political idiom has been proven true in this forum. It is said that liberals want conservatives to shut up, while conservatives want liberals to keep talking. My right-of-center ideas were rarely welcomed here (with some significant exceptions), and more often than not, I was labeled a troll and told to go away, often with the additional suggestion that I perform an act that is anatomically impossible. Don't get me wrong, my feelings aren't hurt. It was just striking to hear those who clamor for freedom of expression to be so against that same freedom on these threads.

On the other hand, conservatives want liberals to keep talking. I think the best thing that could happen to the conservative movement in the US would be to require the entire country to spend time reading the posts here. Knowing what is really in the minds of many of those attracted to OWS would drive people in the opposite direction. It has done that to me.

Best of luck to all, and may 2012 bring much of the good that we all wish for, and none of the bad that so many expect.

7 Comments

7 Comments


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[-] 1 points by maplehead74 (60) from Brooksville, FL 12 years ago

The OWS forum is far , far from a liberal forum sir. I think the views here are equally representation of anarchist ( real and wanna be), libertarian, progressive, and democrats. I have not seen too many of what I would consider Rush,Glen Beck republicans. I get discouraged and elated by this. If the childishness could stop ( as mentioned above) we have a real chance to have a conversation. I can't think of another space where something this cool cold happen. But, often it's more like high school then a form. Most of us came to this forum with the same goal. To be part of the movement , not the microcosm one in NYC( thank you NYC OWS , I wholeheartedly support and appreciate all you have done in starting this marvelous movement) , but the one that is sweeping the world! This is the OWS-99% movement forum the closest that some of us will ever come to a National General Assembly unfortunately. This is our time, our opportunity. I have in the past echoed parts of Confusedoldguy's sentiment . Sometimes it feels pointless, like there will never be any change brought about by this, but then I step back and listen. The change is everywhere. It has nothing to do with the BS in the forum it's the conversation that is taking place around the country and world. It's PEOPLE the 99% feeling empowered that there not alone, there not the oly ones seeing the economic and social injustice. And, party doesn't really have a part in that conversation. We are all part of the people's party, the 99%, OWS whatever label you want to put on it. We do need to seize the moment and come together at some point before we all hate each other lol that day will come I have faith, it will come. It may or may not be here on this forum, but it will happen.

So,PEACE to you too Confusedoldguy and happy new year :-)

[-] 1 points by Confusedoldguy (260) 12 years ago

Thanks for a thoughtful response, maple. Same to you.

[-] 0 points by economicallydiscardedcitizen (761) 12 years ago

I agree with PandoraK. Right now this forum is going through a 'trashy' phase and weeding through can be a challenge-just the nature of 'Human Behaviour' and 'Big Time Sensuality' all mixed up!

Please stay, we need more like you in the fray!

Björk - Human Behavior (Official Music Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDbPYoaAiyc&feature=related

björk - big time sensuality http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHuXpWSNa-8&feature=related

[-] -1 points by wiseoldowl (86) 12 years ago

You won't be missed

[-] 1 points by Confusedoldguy (260) 12 years ago

Yeah, I kinda sense that. But thanks for making it official.

[-] 1 points by maplehead74 (60) from Brooksville, FL 12 years ago

If your coming to the table to have a conversation with an open mind then you will be missed. Even PandoraK's chaff has a roll. The chaff protects the grain until harvest , after harvest it can be fed to animals or used to build the soil for next years crop. It's going to take all of us to make this work. But, we all have to be ready to learn from each other. Old and young , conservative and liberal.... If this movement is going to result in any real change it has to be one that somehow is representative of all of our ideas. That alone will be a task ;-) Sometimes , often I have to move on to another post because the one I am reading is driving me nuts. Other times I say here it is , here's the conversation we need to be having. But, you have to break out of the two party boxed up prepackaged ideology. Besides where else is there. The Republican party (leadership) isn't what it used to be what it's supposed to be. There all chasing some neocon take over the world ,big brother thing . Defiantly not the small government , less taxes party any more. The Democrats ( leadership with a few exceptions) are just as lame. Most have sold out , or have no spin. So who is fighting for you ? For us?