posted July 28, 2006 06:23 PM              

I think this is probably true for all of us regulars lol...So, I've wracked my brains and have come to the conclusion that I keep coming here, because you people help me come closer to finding universal truths - and truth is the elixer of the soul.

Problem is, we don't have the same version of the truth. The truth has as many faces, as do we. There are clashes in how to prioritize the truth, and a weighing of values. When I read others POV, I weight it against my own, for the truth value, from my POV. If lights go on for me in what I read from other people, I feel like they're on the right track, and so am I. That makes me happy

But, I realize this happens for all of us, even those we don't agree with. So, to that I say right on, it's good for them too. But that doesn't mean I'll always agree with them.

So - that's why I'm here.

posted July 28, 2006 06:42 PM            

I come here for two reasons, to learn and to share.

Both have complex meanings in that I learn from others; their viewpoints, their religion, about their countries, politics and other tidbits.

I've learned that some people grossly exaggerate or are overly narrowminded unable to understand anothers point. "SOME" people applies to all of us because that is how someone obviously sees us. One persons lie is another person's truth.

It's like that Sting song - "I have come here seeking college things they did not teach me up in college". I want to understand why people believe in what they do and I won't settle for the old "you're ugly so you're dumb" or "I won't post facts because I don't have time" or "I will only post that which supports my point and is really just another person's opinion".

Then again, we spend time here discounting everyone else's sources. NewsMax collects articles from all over, as does DrudgeReport. Commondreams is mostly editorial. CNN also collects from various sources. People will post an OpEd and call it truth- but it is only their truth.

I come here to share. We all have experiences and I like share mine when someone asks. I also like to share knowledge that I have come across and facts, figures etc.. that may bear some light on a situation.

Part of the entire learn and share thing also encompasses the desire to defend. When I see posts blasting the President with something he hasn't done, I want to post the truth. Why leave a lie out there floating around? When I see another post on the justification of terrorism, I want to post a reason why it is not justified and facts that support it.

I think that maybe.. just maybe on some level we can affect a change or at least a change in a perception.

But the I remind myself.. how much is real? People hide over the internet (someone also said I hide - but my pic is out there, my creds are out there etc...) Some people just like to start trouble and may even post things they don't believe just to start trouble.

I once knew a guy that would go into various chat rooms and take the opposite side just to start arguments. That would stand to be true here as well.

But mostly, I like the exchange of ideas.

posted July 28, 2006 06:51 PM              

You have a creative use of insults - Who was it that said that about you before?

posted July 28, 2006 06:58 PM              

we can choose to have a lesser re-Action..to lessen the negativity..
hehe..I was wrong..the re-Verse can be done. ...

treat others as we would want to be treated..no matter how they Act..it's our responsiblity..how we Re-Act. ...

posted July 28, 2006 07:04 PM            

Honestly, I think some of the name calling is funny and by that I mean when someone comes up with some very witty and absolutely untrue. For example, I know that VL is strange, but I don't think she dates shopping cart man.

Someone calling me piddle-pants or piddyful is a total crack up!!!

Lotus,

I understand - and yes we should treat others the way we want to be treated, but sometimes it is sooooo hard. In fact, I don't even mind some of the words chosen for me. I'd rather someone resort to a name than act like the total weirdo and avoid all the issues.

I am more insulted when someone writes a post that takes up the space of 15 posts yet it is one big, ugly, rambling paragraph. UGH!!! That is like someone that uses shorthand and slang throughout the entire post. LOL....

posted July 28, 2006 07:07 PM              

sometimes' though..it gets a little harsh and personal..

Respect and Love for ALL

posted July 28, 2006 07:13 PM              

Humans spend alot of energy on that, don't they? I can tolerate differing opinions, as long as there is a basic respect.

Basic respect includes respect for clan-level and genetic differences. Things that people have no choice about. Your race, your sex, sun-sign, your appearance, your orientation, you culture. We have no choice on those things, so discrimination of this nature is bigited and ignorant. boo

I'm not chastizing anyone here, I'm just telling you about a pet peave, which I see here sometimes.

posted July 28, 2006 07:18 PM            

boredom

posted July 28, 2006 07:50 PM            

Lotus, I must admit that Carlos Mencia is credited with the McStupid joke. He was talking about how we keep lowering the bar in academics and making excuses for children that have poor parenting at home. The parents feed them meds instead of spending time with them.

Basically he is having a conversation with a mid-twenty something that was blaming the government for having to work for a fast food chain..

Twenty-something "But carrrrrrloooossss, why do I have to work at McDonalds? It's not fair!!!"

Carlos "Because you are McStuuuupid..should have done better in High School!!!"

***That is not to say that all peeps at McD's are McStupid... only the ones that gripe about it.

He can be offensive at times but for the most part he really addresses big issues. He came from another country and worked hard to succeed and his feeling is there is NO Excuse to not do your best and succeed with all that America offers.

Basically people have choices and they can either choose to succeed or chose to fail.

posted July 28, 2006 08:38 PM              

I dont know I think Randall must have cast a magical spell , or something, that makes some of us come back here no matter how much we're sick of this place.

Ive noticed some people believe there are different versions of the "truth."

posted July 28, 2006 11:12 PM            

If I stop learning,listening and processing, whats the use of reaching out for another tomorrow?

------------------
~
What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world is immortal"~

posted July 29, 2006 01:09 AM              

I come here because I genuinely like to discuss what is going on in the world. Like you guys I can learn that way. I get a lot of information from the articles that are posted here. Some I agree with and others I don't. But I am definitely not here to change anyone else's way of thinking because I don't think that can be done. Any change has to come from within the person theirself. I might give them something to think about if they don't just dismiss it right off the bat as the more rigid, close-minded types of people are inclined to do. But I know I can't change anyone's political or religious preferences or beliefs. Those things are too closely linked to the person's identity, values and principals.

I just came back in April after having taken a whole year away from LL and specifically GU because I mostly post here. I take a hiatus when I get tired of the arguing and name calling and personal attacks. Mainly because it interferes in true discussion. The whole topic is lost when people have to defend themselves. Then it just deteriorates into a back and forth defense session. I have no problem with confrontation but truthfully I don't like to argue and fuss with people. I try to get along with people as best as I can. So after a time the arguing and name calling does wear thin. It gets boring and wearisome.

The thing I learn the most from coming here to GU and discussing things with others is human nature. I learn some things about myself as well as others. Some things that I learn about myself I may not like and I then I know I need to work on those things.

posted July 29, 2006 03:15 AM              

quote:

---

The fighting is a bit much, but overall this is my favorite part of LL.

---

so well said!!

do i actually feel a twinge of affection for GU now....??

awwwww....this is so sentimental...

posted July 29, 2006 10:54 PM              

I do admire how you get to the point.

DD, I like how you always keep your cool (mostly - heh)