Posted on Apr 8, 2018
Should we worry about those who try to start fights on Rally Point?
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I'm an adult and most people reading this are adults as well. However, when it comes to those incendiary topics, we might be better off steering clear. I don't believe you should have to suppress your opinion but I do believe that we on Rally Point waste too much energy promoting those divisive topics that we know push each other's buttons.
I will leave you with this thought. Though we may disagree and bicker, I know among most of my true friends on here, we depend on each other and would never truly wish to cause each other discomfort.
I will leave you with this thought. Though we may disagree and bicker, I know among most of my true friends on here, we depend on each other and would never truly wish to cause each other discomfort.
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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So, a few thoughts.
There are those on here that just love the controversial subjects. They post them not so much to validate their positions or invalidate those who disagree, but rather to roll the grenade into the room and watch the chaos ensue. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... well, you will just have to score your internet points from someone else.
Having said that, a forum like this is a golden opportunity for thoughtful people to have cogent positions debated out. Often, we find a point of view we might not have thought of otherwise.
I have seen excellent discussions about gun regulation and DACA in recent months, and fondly remember some good ones on BLM and during the election season.
Just because a subject is controversial shouldn't mean it is off limits. And I would further say that blocking people just because they disagree is unhealthy. The abusive types, sure. But they are fairly few and not all that hard to identify.
If you are thin-skinned, you are in the wrong place. But respectfulness and thoughtfulness in disagreement go a long way.
So don't feed the trolls, and debate on, RP.
There are those on here that just love the controversial subjects. They post them not so much to validate their positions or invalidate those who disagree, but rather to roll the grenade into the room and watch the chaos ensue. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... well, you will just have to score your internet points from someone else.
Having said that, a forum like this is a golden opportunity for thoughtful people to have cogent positions debated out. Often, we find a point of view we might not have thought of otherwise.
I have seen excellent discussions about gun regulation and DACA in recent months, and fondly remember some good ones on BLM and during the election season.
Just because a subject is controversial shouldn't mean it is off limits. And I would further say that blocking people just because they disagree is unhealthy. The abusive types, sure. But they are fairly few and not all that hard to identify.
If you are thin-skinned, you are in the wrong place. But respectfulness and thoughtfulness in disagreement go a long way.
So don't feed the trolls, and debate on, RP.
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A1C Ian Williams
I will always support, open and honest debate that stays relevant to the topic with the focus solely on the issue. 1SG (Join to see) By the way V, and my wager...
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A1C Ian Williams I started avoiding divisive topics when I realized I was always being baited into endless arguments by the same people who had no intention of respecting my belief or me. I blocked them to ensure they could not chime in to me. I want to enjoy RP, express myself respectfully, and be among comrades without duress or stress.
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SPC Erich Guenther
PO3 Phyllis Maynard - I only been called a name once or twice but it was someone from Active Duty or Reserves. Didn't bother me, she was lacking in life experience by about 30 years compared to me. So I suspect she will feel regret around age 45-47....not holding my breath on it. Seriously though I don't let the negative comments get to me. I do think the USAF people on RP are overly sensitive on Religious Topics and sometimes Political topics. We discussed both while in uniform just not publicly but I remember platoon CP discussions way more rougher than anything I have seen on RP. I suspect Army and Marines are more frank in their discussions while in uniform. What gets me is the people that block me AND then comment openly on my threads. As the above author has done. Completely unknown why I was blocked in the first place because I never got public notice or a PM AND I don't ever remember attacking him or calling him a name. I suspect it was a religious discussion I had he did not agree with or was offended with. Who knows and really I don't care. Fact is though if he is sensitive to what his chain of command thinks...........which does not surprise me at E-3. Should the rest if us tip toe around the land mines or even try and guess what they are? I have no clue what is taboo to discuss in public if I m in the USAF because I never have been in the USAF. I have noticed the religious topics bother them unless they go a specific direction. Was never the case in the Army or National Guard. So thats why I think some of this is service branch differences.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
SPC Erich Guenther my experience has been closely similar to yours. Yes, mostly religion. My feeling is and I have asked those who don't believe as I to simply not engage my conversation because it is not for them. But, it is evident they wanted to bully me so I started blocking them so they could not comment on my profile thread. Those who block you, simply go to their profile and block them then you won't have to suffer one sided abuse.
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SPC Erich Guenther
PO3 Phyllis Maynard - Ahhh, that narrows it down. OK so I actually am a firm believer in God but at times I see the perspective of agnostics and those that criticize my religion due to past and current abuses..........which I have little control over but I feel I have to listen to the grevances vs turning my back. Militant Athiests on a recruiting mission......eh, forget it. I don't have to listen to that crap but sometimes I try to make sense of it, only to feel later I wasted my time completely. Thanks for the tip on the profile.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
SPC Erich Guenther I feel your stress DE-STRESSING :0)
It feels good to put a jerk on 32 degrees below freezing :0)
It feels good to put a jerk on 32 degrees below freezing :0)
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There are those who simply like to start trouble, and those who passionately believe in things they want to defend intellectually. The former are fairly easy to avoid...the latter have taught me a great deal over the years.
I used to sincerely believe that "politics" had no place in a military person's life...to some degree, I've come to regard that as an overly simplified position. The more developed sense is likely one where "debate" does not detract from the commitment, but rather enhances one's understanding of it.
For my own part, I am thankful for a forum where the "entry criteria" is somewhat a level playing field. Most of us on RP have some commonality, and I think that offers a clear path to bridging some "gaps" between various ideologies, beliefs and principles.
I'd like to think that when "we" find compromise, agreement, or even the ability to "agree to disagree"...it offers some hope for the rest of the population in achieving the same.
I used to sincerely believe that "politics" had no place in a military person's life...to some degree, I've come to regard that as an overly simplified position. The more developed sense is likely one where "debate" does not detract from the commitment, but rather enhances one's understanding of it.
For my own part, I am thankful for a forum where the "entry criteria" is somewhat a level playing field. Most of us on RP have some commonality, and I think that offers a clear path to bridging some "gaps" between various ideologies, beliefs and principles.
I'd like to think that when "we" find compromise, agreement, or even the ability to "agree to disagree"...it offers some hope for the rest of the population in achieving the same.
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