Mike,
I doubt he's angry because I'm not angry either. and hugs are appreciated. HUGS ALL AROUND!

Seriously though, if you mean what you say about personal attacks and whatnot... do you consider insulting language or tone a 'personal attack'? Because on that note, you are very guilty of this behavior and I don't see you administering a warning to yourself.

This is a legitimate question that I'd like an honest answer without deflection of the question to some other issue.

This is proof positive of how you twist words.

was in response to you saying

and you were saying that in reference to when I said

And you're right, this is classic, because once again, you twist what I'm saying, misapply a quote, and then try to pin something on me when quite obviously, you're 1. twisting words around or 2. genuinely misread/misinterpreted what I said, which could be an honest mistake. If it is the former, then that is classic Mike and that is intellectual dishonesty. My statements had nothing to do with you being the founder and owner of a message board. But I guess that's what you thought I was referring to. Am I wrong here?

If you want me to make this point more clear, 'you tend to post more than anyone' does in no way equate to 'you are the only one to post'.

and yet somehow in your mind you equate the two.

The funny thing is I was proven WRONG. Webb actually took a lead by several points. Instead of claim oppression, the facts were out there to show that this literature actually meant nothing and ACTUALLY helped Webb because of the desperate, negative advertising that took place.

Bob, you are correct. I read your statement as I post more than anyone on this site and that I made this site a Republican site when you were actually talking about the political forum. I was wrong now that I look back. I can admit my mistake.

I still stand by my other point though. This is a political area of a Korea site. I created it so ANYONE can post their thoughts as long as they are clean and do not get too personal. This thread proves my point as FOUR members disagreed with me and made their points.

__________________
Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Fact of the matter is, it is disturbing about Webb. Anyone who can comfortably write that subject matter is in my mind, off kilter. But, like I said, it's a work of fiction. His writing, however heinous, does not make him a criminal. Foley's actions, however, are criminal- and in my mind, that to me is more cogent in this situation.

Thanks for being reasonable Mike and answering my question honestly.

As for your final point, that was never in contention. I never said that people didn't post their thoughts or were unable to have their say without being shut down. That was never, ever, my point.

The thing I disliked was whenever political opinion is voiced as fact, when it is merely opinion. Additionally, I truly despise when truth is only partly given and then twisted to make it appear other than what it really is. It's true that all reality or truth is just a person's perception of the situation. But I think it's harmful to everyone when there is deception, on either end, and misrepresentation of a situation, be it intentional or unintentional.

That's what I refer to as intellectual dishonesty. I apologize if I was harsh to to you... but I truly do believe in truth in speech and honest discussion. Without these things, there will only be strife between ANY groups of differing opinions.

Mike, if you look back through all of my posts, you will find that I do in fact agree with you on several topics. If you'd like, I can go back and point out those posts for you...

This last part is probably best kept for a PM, but I think it's pertinent so I'll post it here. You and Joe both asked me a while back what I thought would help or improve this forum and essentially how to get more participation from the members to actively post on here. I think it is absolutely critical that a forum has an atmosphere or tone that is conducive to open discussion. While it's true that there will always be trolls or other nimwits who will bait arguments and sow the seeds of unrest... That's where the moderators are admin are incredibly crucial for keeping a forum even-keeled.

Mike, you are, whether or not you will believe this, responsible for the tone of this discussion group. I think if you asked around, there are a lot of people who are turned off or dissuaded from posting here because of the general negative tone of this particular forum (political/religious). I know you are conservative, there's no problem with that (really!) but I have noticed a trend in the past six months where it's become increasingly hostile and there's no real discourse, just a bunch of rhetoric being spewed back and forth. I probably had a hand in that myself, but I'm not happy with that. I'd really like for your site to succeed, but I'm of the opinion that for that to happen, the moderator crew , you included, should and must be more neutral. Otherwise people are less likely to voice their opinions freely. Not out of fear of reprisal, but because it's simply not welcoming. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree, I'm just letting you know that that is my observation of this forum.

While to you I may seem liberal, I know for a fact that I'm actually quite moderate and that may be an indication of how far right you are swinging thus making me appear liberal to you by comparison. I know it's not my responsibility or job, but I have just been offering the flip side of things to even the playing field. But as I said before, I really just found it tiring. If that to you means that I'm just giving up and running away, so be it. Sometimes, it's just better to sit back and stop shouting when nobody is listening to each other.

Anyhow, my W500

That is something I too am now wondering. Mike's rules about the political forum are:

From reading Mike's description and judging his posts, it appears that personal attacks are limited to name calling, which I have refrained from.

From what I gather, Bob does not like my politcal views and my approach to the forum. Doutes doesn't like me period. That is fine as you can't be friends with everyone.

Doutes, I think this is more in tune to what I am saying.

Quote:

Please respect other individuals political and religious beliefs/views

If you admit to ridiculing someone and saying their statements are idiotic, I would say you are not respecting someone political views. I would say I have done that myself a few times with you and Kafkorea. I will not do it again in the future. It is not for lack of respect of Doutes as I have offered him to be a moderator on this site. He is very intelligent and I have always looked to add people to the team that have different views. A moderator position is always open to him, Bob or anyone that wants to contribute.

As I admitted to Bob, after reading through this thread I admit my mistake. After reading Bob's last post there is a lot of truth to what he is saying and I will make the effort to sit back and respond with my head and not my heart. I know I can be passionate about politics and I will make the effort to reel in my emotions in the future. I appologized to Bob as I did not fully understand the message he was sending.

It might be best to close this thread and move on. Bob and Doutes, if you have input on some "Rules of this Forum" I would be glad to incorperate them.

__________________
Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Mike, your apology was heard and accepted. I agree, let's move on... I think we have come to a turning point and this is a positive thing- I think for the for the first time we've sat back and actually listened to each other rather than just reacting.

I will say this Mike, there's nothing wrong with being passionate about politics. It's through that passion that change gets enacted and progress can be made in the future. The converse would be apathy and lack of interest, and that is the surest way to the eventual degradation of freedom and liberty. I'm fairly certain you would agree on that point.