digmedia--don't worry; be happy!

Parent Cafe
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<p>Digmedia, </p>

<p>You’re taking this far too personally…perhaps some romantic time alone with the spouse, or a professional massage will turn things around for you.</p>

<p>Even so, I sometimes feel the same way (thus my advice above). Sometimes the threads go on and on in more of a “yeah, same to you but more of it” vein. And yet, often enough, I have been moved by the reasoning of someone’s post. Normally, it will be someone I am already simpatico with saying something I’ve never thought of…that extends my own thoughts into areas I had not yet considered, or perspectives I had never come across. Often enough, I will find that my view was uninformed or mal-formed. More incredible, is the poster I normally disagree with saying something that shows me that they have a very expansive and reasonable view that is no where near as constricted as I would normally expect: I LOVE, and am chastened, by these sorts of posts.</p>

<p>I do, however, believe that you are right that few posting here have their cultural/political opinions flipped completely around. On the other hand, I have had many PM’s sent to me that have either thanked me for posting what I have posted or supported something I have written (I am sure I am not alone)—normally, it is from someone who rarely, if ever, posts on these threads themselves. They were very special to me at the time and I have had a wonderful conversation with a few of them over the last year (exclusively through PM’s) wherein I have found out a lot about their lives and beliefs (which are different then mine) and they about mine. We have discussed each other’s children–their struggles and accomplishments and our divergent backgrounds.</p>

<p>My daughter, who posted here last summer posted here, would tell us about numerous private messages she had received from lurkers and posters not posting in a particular thread supporting her and praising some of the things she was writing, often having taken positions on issues that people here assume are just not done—that is, uniting well thought out and traditional cultural views with understanding and erudition. Many liberals, as an article of faith, simply believe this isn’t, or shouldn’t be done, falling victim to the assumption that clumsily states “all right thinking people must think like me.” </p>

<p>I was very surprised to see intellectual conservative posters like driver, fundingfather, Xiggi, wyogal, browninfall, aries, etc, writing and posting so openly and with such conviction their well thought out and informed views…I imagine it is a surprise to many others posting here as well; thus, the repeated posts asking how conservatives can be conservative, what makes someone conservative, as if it is a categorically challenging proposition to them.</p>

<p>I, for instance, expect radicals like mini, to believe as he believes, but I am often heartened by the manner in which mini presents such radical views (even if they are quite often condescending) and it is a rare occasion that I will skip over one of his entertaining posts. Happy he’s here. He brings something different to the table.</p>

<p>There are many others here who post very well thought out opinions and views with a little less political conviction and muscle, though with a very certain social conviction like poetsheart, marite, sybbie, cangel, SBmom, emeraldkitty, beruhah, alumother, Northstarmom, robyrm etc.</p>

<p>Then there are the usual suspects who have placed their complete faith in political liberalism, **MrB, digmedia (you), dmd77, dstark, thedad<a href=“the%20last%20two%20having%20said%20some%20very%20cruel%20things%20to%20and%20about%20my%20daughter%20that%20I%20held%20my%20tongue%20on,%20she%20can%20take%20it%20and%20I%20otherwise%20find%20their%20posts%20entertaining”>/b</a>, garland, weenie, interestedad, newmassdad, greybeard, bullwinkle, kluge, reidm, hazmat etc. The list of liberals is far too long to enumerate. Also, earlier, I forgot a couple more conservative posters like barrons, bandit, razorsharp, socal, etc.</p>

<p>Then there are those liberals who are able to shoehorn almost all of their views into a single post, like lauras50, citygirlsmom, etc. who are perhaps more indicative of the ideology of total liberalism and total posting. </p>

<p>There is, of course a lot of chaff but there are also some very interesting seeds in the cc mix. I, for one, find it all, at the very least, a very pleasant diversion; at its best, I am enlightened, if not about politics, about the depth of the people who practice it.</p>

<p>Still, don’t forget: a little romance with the spouse, or if that seems inappropriate, a reputable professional massage (not the x-rated kind;)).</p>

<p>Happy Posting (like, “Happy Holidays” in its homage to lukewarm and diluted diversity), digmedia and everyone else.</p>

<p>ww</p>

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<p>LOL very cute post… Although I’m not sure I know what total posting is (I am not really a total liberal), but total posting sounds okay. Happy holidays to my fellow addicted CC’ers. I think if you keep thinking it keeps the brain working and may prevent dementia. Everyone here keeps me thinking and on my toes. That’s good. :-)</p>

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<p>woodwork~</p>

<p>It’s easy to forget to take that step back and remember that we do learn from all these different attitudes and opinions, these strong convictions rooted in personal philosophy and intimate experience. I have NO friends with whom I agree on each and every subject…but I love 'em all anyway! :)</p>

<p>dig~</p>

<p>love ya sweetie!</p>

<p>to everyone~</p>

<p>As they say now, Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah!!!</p>

<p>~berurah <3 <3 <3 <3 <3</p>

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<p>OK. I am completely in the dark. While I am honored to be in the following company:</p>

<p>poetsheart, marite, sybbie, cangel, SBmom, emeraldkitty, berurah, alumother, Northstarmom, robyrm</p>

<p>and while I know I don’t engage in political discussions because they scare the bejeezus out of me, can someone tell me what this post meant?</p>

<p>I just hope no one was saying mean things about anyone. I hate family fights…</p>

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<p>alu~</p>

<p>No one major “fight”…dig was just getting a little weary of the redundant political arguments, and we were getting on his last nerve ;).</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>The classification, however, is Woodwork’s own. :)</p>

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<p>“Complete faith in political liberalism”? Oh, thank you, thank you, you made my day! Although, alas, “complete faith” is an exaggeration. Complete certainty that nothing else will work and a definite hope that liberals will get something done would be a better description ;)</p>

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<p>

That made me laugh. When S2 was born - the one who is now a college freshman - my wife and I went to a Lamaze class. They taught me how to give my wife a relaxation massage which we kept using even after the baby was born. But it’s too relaxing: I’m the one doing it, and I fall asleep!!! :o</p>

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<p>Love you, Dig! Hope you stick around - have been enjoying your online company for years.</p>

<p>B~ there’s nothing that a little red wine and chocolate won’t fix. :slight_smile: Sending a glass and a box your way. ;)</p>

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<p>I must have missed something along the way that this thread is in response to. Anyway, interesting take on all the “regulars”. But waaaah, I didn’t get “classified”. Not sure that is a good or bad thing, LOL. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Woodwork, Your daughter is a smart girl, but I just can’t go for the converting…which is one of the worst insults there is. </p>

<p>And she can handle it.</p>

<p>Sorry.</p>

<p>And not that it matters, but you have the wrong label on me.</p>

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<p>I didn’t either, soozievt, but in my case I’m sure it’s because I studiously avoid commenting in the politically-charged threads. I figure there are those who champion my causes much more elloquently than I can, and I doubt opinions would be changed through this medium anyway. Since it’s mostly competing choirs singing to each other, in different tunes and languages, each lovely in their own way but not really expecting the singers on the other side to do anything more than sing back, I stick to the other threads. And thus have not been classified by WW. I’m taking that as a just-fine thing, in this case. (In any other case, I’d be sniffing about being overlooked. :wink: )</p>

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<p>Labels are not always accurate. I think of my political leanings as a mixture of progressive and conservative. On the conservative side, I think that Congress (Dems and Reps) views our money as their own personal pocketbook for various pork projects and for unbidled spending in all areas. I think that Social Security is in real trouble and needs fixes that no one is willing to step up to. I disagreed with Bush’s solution, but at least he spoke up when everyone else is burying their heads in the sand. I’m extremely conservative with our nation’s resources. The recent provision in the budget bill which will allow the sale of national forest land in the west to private concerns (buying old mining claims and being allowed to convert those to private property) is my current hot-button issue. I think that the US needs to become more independent of foreign oil, but that the way to do that is NOT to use up our own oil at the same rate we’re using the world’s. You don’t eat your seed corn, and you don’t use up all of you own oil resources right away without major conservation efforts. And on and on and on…</p>

<p>But today, if you are on the side of personal rights vs corporate rights, that makes you a liberal. Relaxing air pollution and water pollution regulations to protect businesses without worrying about the longer term consequeces, allowing eminent domain so that a Wal-Mart can be built after residents are kicked out, giving tax breaks to the wealthy while food stamps and Medicare are cut, and allowing the sale of Federal lands (so there would be no recourse to oil drilling on that land) all strike me as wrong.</p>

<p>So I’m definitely not placing my faith in “political liberalism,” and I don’t think the others can be classed that way either. Also, not all conservatives are apologists for the directions I think are wrong. </p>

<p>As I’ve said before on CC the saying USED to go: if you’re young and not a Democrat, you have no heart; if you’re old and not a Republican, you have no brain. But I think that both the Democrats and Republicans have abandoned their constituent majorities in favor of appeasing those who can give the money to get themselves reelected.</p>

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<p>Mootmom, I pretty much stay clear of the political discussions as well so that may be it which is FINE by me.
Susan</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>dig~</p>

<p>To these two things I would simply say, “me too” and “I agree”!</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>aries~</p>

<p>You are such a wise young woman! I’d love to share both with you–anytime and anywhere–and I hope to do so IRL someday. Until then, I so appreciate the cyber wine and chocolate!! <3, ~berurah</p>

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<p>this old guy who has mellowed into a yellow dog Democrat is not on the lefties list?</p>

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<p>How disheartening to be referred to as a “usual suspect.” Oh well.</p>

<p>By the way, perhaps the ultimate insult to a liberal is to imply that we have “complete faith” in anything. </p>

<p>We are, by nature, the questioners, the dissenters, the ones least likely to believe something because “I said so,” the ones who refuse to simply “toe the line.” Blind loyalty just doesn’t suit us.</p>

<p>It is our curse and our gift.</p>

<p>Peace.</p>

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<p>

That’s a good one! Gee, where was this exhibited when we were waging war in Bosnia and Kosovo? I don’t recall any demonstrations from the left over those wars?</p>

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<p>Uh-oh,</p>

<p>didn’t mean to offend anyone, or leave anyone out (though, according to not a few posters that may have been a compliment). This was really more homage than critique. I would not have the courage to include my own postings amongst some of the more interesting posters above. </p>

<p>I more or less enjoy the personalities and points of view of everyone I mentioned—even while often taking exception to the contents. Some do, however, exhibit a bit more personality than others. Points of view are most often consistent though often relayed with a twist that denies complacency and boredom their due.
…</p>

<p>dstark,
My daughter would have nothing to convert you to. She has no more than discreet views, like pretty much everyone else here. She is a member of no political party and her own private faith precludes not only conversion but evangelism in any of its forms. She simply has her own view and to my knowledge, none share it with her (though her dull parents cheer it on and marvel).</p>

<p>……………….</p>

<p>Tsdad,</p>

<p>You are a marvel among liberals and remember, as Bob Dylan was impugned, “the sun isn’t yellow it’s chicken”.</p>

<p>……………</p>

<p>digmedia,
funny story, I hope you took no offense. I was simply having fun doodling on the screen.</p>

<p>……….</p>

<p>Weenie,
No bad time to grand-stand, eh?
…………………</p>

<p>soozievt & mootmom,</p>

<p>I was just tired when I wrote it, I would have mentioned both of your names before my own in this context.</p>

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<p>We are talking about fountainsiren, right?</p>

<p>If not, show me the post. I don’t like to insult the students.</p>