I have noticed, and it is becoming more prevalent, that centrists cannot 'win' here.

The 'right' love to abuse the 'left', and vice-versa.

Nothing new there. And not surprising.

BUT....

There has recently been an upsurge in BOTH extremes
ripping it up the 'moderates'.

Why is that, I wonder?

Speaking personally, I'm used to copping it from the conservatives. This goes back to the old 'Yahoo' days, and is nothing new. As wetweekend and Big 'Ol well know.

But now, thanks to the terminal uselessness of the Greens, and
JuLABOR, and my opposition to their failures'...oops, policies, I'm
copping it from the far left as well.

Being called a <quote> 'right-wing extremist'  </end quote>by the woodsnake, because I disagree with AGW and the carbon tax, was
a bit of a shock. Then Bill (of all people) got up me for my support of the unemployed.

Then copping it from Longy, Big 'Ol, and Andrei for the
same reason....

I've noticed other moderates copping a pasting, too, recently.

I'm starting to wonder why I bother. I can't 'win' either way.

And seem to be becoming a 'third tit' in most discussions. Maybe I'm just an idiot, and should smack off?

I just don't get it any more.

Anyone else feel the same? Agree? Disagree? And why?

Please try not to make it 'personal'.

You dont need to "win"
The people who use abuse to prop up their arguments never win..they just look childish and foolish.
I quite enjoy being on the forum and not joining in with the abuse..Im rarely bothered if Im right or wrong, I just voice my opinion at the time and send it off into the ether.
So..dont despair, just be yourself and bugga everyone else  :)

I wouldnt be too worried, once you figure out most here a blind supporters and not interested in discussing actual topics then you know how best to approach them.

Seems you have to "pick a side".

Verge wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 7:56pm:

I wouldnt be too worried, once you figure out most here a blind supporters and not interested in discussing actual topics then you know how best to approach them. Seems you have to "pick a side".

I can not agree!

Whilst there are about 80-90% with fixed ideas, anyone who believes something outside those mainstream thoughts is still entitled to state them.

Finally, just because that 80-90% is obviously the vast majority, it doesn't necessarily make them correct!

perceptions_now wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 8:12pm:

Verge wrote on May 3rd, 2011 at 7:56pm: I wouldnt be too worried, once you figure out most here a blind supporters and not interested in discussing actual topics then you know how best to approach them. Seems you have to "pick a side". I can not agree! Whilst there are about 80-90% with fixed ideas, anyone who believes something outside those mainstream thoughts is still entitled to state them. Finally, just because that 80-90% is obviously the vast majority, it doesn't necessarily make them correct!

You missed my point, this site would be easier if you "pick a side".

I regularily cop abuse from both sides for my position on matters which I guide with my own experiences and moral compass which seems to make me an "enemy" to many here.

Many here also seem to pick your side for you, and cast automatic lables of "left and right" abuse without even bothering to read the threads.

Verge wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 8:26pm:

perceptions_now wrote on May 3rd, 2011 at 8:12pm: Verge wrote on May 3rd, 2011 at 7:56pm: I wouldnt be too worried, once you figure out most here a blind supporters and not interested in discussing actual topics then you know how best to approach them. Seems you have to "pick a side". I can not agree! Whilst there are about 80-90% with fixed ideas, anyone who believes something outside those mainstream thoughts is still entitled to state them. Finally, just because that 80-90% is obviously the vast majority, it doesn't necessarily make them correct! You missed my point, this site would be easier if you "pick a side". I regularily cop abuse from both sides for my position on matters which I guide with my own experiences and moral compass which seems to make me an "enemy" to many here. Many here also seem to pick your side for you, and cast automatic lables of "left and right" abuse without even bothering to read the threads.

No, I didn't!

It may SEEM easier, but it would create too many underlying problems, too agree with a perception, when you don't actually believe what you are saying.

I have no doubt that there are those who agree with some things I say and disagree with others, but that is there elective.

My elective, is to provide the conclusions I come to, provide reasons where applicable and to discuss why I come to those conclusions.

Unlike some, on here and elsewhere, I can be convinced that I am wrong, from time to time.

There are a few differences between myself and some others, including -
1) I don't enter these or any other boards with the pre-conception of supporting one Political Party or another.
2) When I am comvinced by the strength of additional information that my position was incorrect, I will usually admit that I was wrong.
In fact, I remember it well - 1951 I think, November 10th, I thought I was arriving that day, it turned out to be the 11th - I told mum I was wrong?    

Do as I do, enjoy getting up the noses of both ;)

Kat wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 6:47pm:

I just don't get it any more. Anyone else feel the same? Agree? Disagree? And why? Please try not to make it 'personal'.

I wouldn't mind betting that you've got  broad shoulders. Am I right?

I would think if you were a mod you would have to have a thick skin...it goes with the job..

however chosing sides I would have thought that was the point of being a on a political board...NO?..

I dont get it otherwise...

I am not sure what a centrist is.. but I am assuming its something like in the middle..a bet eachway. if you like..

I think its the argy bargy that makes the boards interesting...if we all agree all the time how boring would that be..

if you cant take the heat in the kitchen as they say then dont go there.

yes abuse and personal attacks shouldnt be the go.. and those that persist in saying someone is not who they say they are they are someone else.. get on my nerves as well.. let it be,.. who cares. its the topic that matters..


and the nonsence ones.. with great big pictures.. we can do without them as well.but because its a free world we have to get on with it..

I dont remember you from yahoo kat.. did you change your ID coming on here.. which is fine.. there were many donnybrooks on yahoo..

I admit I do let some get under my skin... wish I didnt but there you go. its life and whilst I am perfect most of the time... not all the time.. its too hard...lol.. just kidding.

cods wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 11:27pm:

I would think if you were a mod you would have to have a thick skin...it goes with the job.. No! however chosing sides I would have thought that was the point of being a on a political board...NO?.. No! I dont get it otherwise... Yes! I am not sure what a centrist is.. That seems so! but I am assuming its something like in the middle..a bet eachway. if you like.. No! I think its the argy bargy that makes the boards interesting... No! if we all agree all the time how boring would that be.. Yes! if you cant take the heat in the kitchen as they say then dont go there. Yes! yes abuse and personal attacks shouldnt be the go.. Yes! and those that persist in saying someone is not who they say they are they are someone else.. get on my nerves as well.. let it be,.. who cares. its the topic that matters.. Yes! and the nonsence ones.. with great big pictures.. we can do without them as well. No! but because its a free world we have to get on with it.. Yes! I dont remember you from yahoo kat.. did you change your ID coming on here.. which is fine.. there were many donnybrooks on yahoo.. I admit I do let some get under my skin... wish I didnt but there you go. its life and whilst I am perfect most of the time... not all the time.. its too hard...lol.. just kidding.

Kat wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 6:47pm:

I just don't get it any more. Anyone else feel the same? Agree? Disagree? And why? Please try not to make it 'personal'.

Left / centre or right, most discussions get pretty robust, it only ends up a personal attack if the original argument has no substance.

You can see this with any post put up by prevailing, greens, rustynail, warfy, et al; so if your argument has substance and the resultant reply is personal then you have pretty much won your argument; but if you post drivel then a personal attack is all you deserve.

Also you may need to harden up a bit, step into a knife fight and you'll prolly get a few nicks and cuts for your trouble.

Judging by the personal reference you have either bested me in an argument or posted drivel to deserve my 'personal' attention.  ;D

Dsmithy70 wrote on May 3^rd, 2011 at 9:15pm:

Do as I do, enjoy getting up the noses of both ;)

Good plan, Smithy :-)

BigOl64 wrote on May 4^th, 2011 at 6:20am:

Kat wrote on May 3rd, 2011 at 6:47pm: I just don't get it any more. Anyone else feel the same? Agree? Disagree? And why? Please try not to make it 'personal'. Left / centre or right, most discussions get pretty robust, it only ends up a personal attack if the original argument has no substance. You can see this with any post put up by prevailing, greens, rustynail, warfy, et al; so if your argument has substance and the resultant reply is personal then you have pretty much won your argument; but if you post drivel then a personal attack is all you deserve. Also you may need to harden up a bit, step into a knife fight and you'll prolly get a few nicks and cuts for your trouble. Judging by the personal reference you have either bested me in an argument or posted drivel to deserve my 'personal' attention.  ;D

Neither, really, but we have had a few good stoushes re welfare. I
remember copping a few good serves from you, Longy and vrgbrt
(remember him?) back on Yahoo when I was unemployed for a time.

No, I merely used you as an example as we have clashed on that
subject recently, so you were 'fresh' in my mind, so to speak.

Oh, and cods, I did change my ID when I came here, because of
the shyt that was going down on Yahoo towards the end. I wasn't
a participant in all the crap, and wanted to dissociate myself from it.

It's much better here, I must say!