<p>From Roger’s posting mandates for the forum…
For Pete’s Sake… enough already. Let’s agree that the CC posters probably reflect all of the diversity of the country (and beyond) and proselytizing for one side will convince no one on the other side. Sure, it’s the Cafe and all, and I know some people like to engage in certain kinds of “discussion.” But the same points are being made again and again. :(</p>
<p>I’m down to one nerve, and you’re on it… ;)</p>
<p>Digmedia:
…just the kind of post I would expect, from the Prosletyzing-bashing crowd.</p>
<p>(My apologies 
, I know that single nerve is frayed, and this ain’t helping…)</p>
<p>optimizer:</p>
<p>“the Prosletyzing-bashing crowd”</p>
<p>I like that! :)</p>
<p>digmedia, why don’t you just avoid the threads about politics if they bother you that much and just stick to movie discussions or what to pack for college? For many of us hope springs eternal that the “other side” will see the “light” and realize their errant ways and beliefs.That can take years to accomplish :-).</p>
<p>laura: Yeah, I was sort of wondering the same thing. Must not be on his nerves that badly!</p>
<p>lauras50: </p>
<p>Ooops, my secret is out. Why don’t I avoid the threads? I can’t. I’m actually fascinated with the opinions of people I know in other contexts (frequent posters on other threads). You get to know people in certain ways, and then when the politics or religion come out, I just can’t turn away. It’s too interesting. For example, I think of optimizerdad as the “Math Guy” so it’s interesting to find out more. Weenie is one of the few other posters here that have even HEARD of Ohio University, but has posted a lot in the cafe.</p>
<p>Funny, but it seems like the posters that have been around for a while get to know each other - but only in certain ways. The cafe can expand that, but sometimes in directions you’d rather not go in… :)</p>
<p>But the OP above was kind of triggered by the thought of “Oh no, here we go again…” with yet another rehashing of the same ground. But maybe you’re right about the other side seeing the light: Just look at the trend in polls on President Bush.</p>
<p>Maybe weenie said it best in another thread:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
I am one who <em>would</em> have the frayed nerves of digmedia. However, I rather assiduously avoid the “nerve-wracking” threads here in our delightful cafe, so my nerves are generally spared. I adore the exchange of ideas we enjoy here on cc, but find the vituperation and almost pervasive lack of “listening” on the more political threads dismaying. On the rare occasion when I rashly take a peek, I find myself wondering: how many here on cc have been swayed by the postings of the “other side?”</p>
<p>Show of hands? :o</p>
<p>In all seriousness, the parents on CC - no matter what their various leanings are - demonstrate family values. Just by posting here, it shows a focus on the family, without necessarily being a member of an organization with that as the name.</p>
<p>Oh, I don’t think there’s much successful proselytizing going on here, at least among the active participants, but there are other motives at work in these political threads. Some enjoy the role of agent provocateur, and start threads that they know are going to be political hot potatoes. I was initially motivated to participate in “the nerve-wracking threads” because I got fed up with what I used to call (affectionately) “The CC Clique” agreeing with each other all the time about what a bunch of unenlightened losers people like me (in the generic sense) were. I would read thread after thread, and be reminded of Pauline Kael’s (possibly apocryphal) quote about how she couldn’t comment on Nixon’s re-election because she didn’t know a single person who had voted for him—this, in one of the greatest landslide elections in history. There was a lot of that “living in an ideological bubble” sense here, on CC. </p>
<p>When I first posted something against the prevailing CC political wisdom, I immediately appreciated what Custer must have felt like at the Little Bighorn, and now think of you folks (affectionately), as “The Swarm”–although it is a much less lonely place for a non-liberal iconoclast now, compared to a couple of years ago. I enjoy the arguments, but that’s just my nature. It does sometimes feel like walking into Monty Python’s “Argument Clinic” sketch, right up to and including the part where Michael Palin leaves in a huff and walks into “Being hit on the head lessons.” Right now, I’m enjoying my annual holiday endorphin rush, so I probably won’t be fraying my nerves here until next year. Unless you say something that really p***es me off. Happy Holidays.</p>
<p>And digmedia: I have loved your postings about Ohio Univ! It always makes me happy to hear about kids who are successful at colleges that aren’t necessarily on the CC “most popular” list. If I can get son #2 off his keister we will definitely be visiting.</p>
<p>Driver:</p>
<p>Poor example for using, Gen. Custer. I think? </p>
<p>Custer was an Idiot opinioned by the Native Americans, his peers, and by history. We don’t want to list the reasons why, do we? </p>
<p>Couldn’t help it. Someone was going to say it.</p>
<p>ITM,
No, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, with the sense of walking into an overwhelmingly aggressive swarm, was a perfect example of what I meant. However, Custer lost that fight catastrophically, and I don’t do that. So your point is well taken. Thanks.</p>
<p>Custer was on a mission of extermination. Not very honorable for himself, his superiors, nor his command.</p>
<p>For many of us, we have read and replied to the annual questions of college, its getting to be repetitive. Social comments is just another way to explore the colors of getting our kids to think in different terms than just the obvious, and without blowing each other heads off. </p>
<p>Our S just finished his apps for grad school. So my time here is short.</p>