More of a Whine Than a Rant

[chris_gerrib]

I firmly believe one needs to engage the opposite side (or all sides) of a debate. However, in many of the current political debates, I find myself getting weary of engagement.

For example, any time I post on Simberg's Flying Circus two or three of his commentors will fairly shortly post personal insults directed at me. They don't actually engage anything I say; rather they attack me as a person. So, I've decided to not bother myself on that site. I've talked before about getting kicked off Jordan Bassior's site for the crime of pointing out that Treyvon Martin had a right to live as well.

Now, I visit Marko Kloos site to note that background checks seem a reasonable part of a "well regulated militia." He informs me that, back in 1787, "regulate" didn't mean "regulate," it means “smooth out and make work”, not “put restrictions upon.” Well, no, "regulate" means "Control or supervise (something, esp. a company or business activity) by means of rules and regulations." Did then, does now.

So, my whine is this - why bother? If your opponent's response to engagement is insults, banning and/or torturing the English language, what good does engagement do?

Comments

[daveon.livejournal.com]

I must admit I am wondering, and one of the reasons I don't do much more than occasional Fly Bys at Rand's blog is because they've disappeared so far up their collective rectums that they've become a parody of themselves.

To be fair, while things were like this in the weird world of newsgroups too, I am getting sick and tired of the self important posturing of those that Blog.

I see it with Rand with his delusions that he's going to replace the 'traditional media' and with the current crop of new SF Bloggers who are now representing 'wider fandom' - ignoring that wider fandom has been getting on for over 70 years without their help nor support.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Well, attempting to engage civilly gets you friended by opponents like me.

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Yeah...this is why I rarely put out my opinion about anything other than writing or Airedales. I'm just not interested in the strife.

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Apparently I need to get a dog... ;-)

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I have a neurotic three-year-old shedding machine to share if you really want one....

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Not really, thanks.